Retirees struggle to get pension in Thiruvananthapuram amid rush after notes ban

cash crunch due to demonetisation had senior citizens waiting in long queues at the treasuries in the district
Pensioners queued up before the treasuries on Thursday from early morning to draw their pension. Senior citizens standing in queues awaiting their turn at the cash counter at the East Fort Pension Pay
Pensioners queued up before the treasuries on Thursday from early morning to draw their pension. Senior citizens standing in queues awaiting their turn at the cash counter at the East Fort Pension Pay

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sivan Pillai, who has retired from the Health Department, draws his monthly pension from the Pension Payment Sub-Treasury at East Fort on the first of every month. Despite the cash crunch and heavy rush, Pillai managed to get his money this time as well, but not without difficulties.

“I reached here at 5 am and stood in the queue. At around 7 am they began giving out the tokens and I was handed number 175,” said the 78-year-old who walked back home at 11 am. Officials said that around 300 persons stood in queue at the centre, which is one of the two sub-treasuries in the capital district exclusively for pension payment.


Moderate to heavy rush was witnessed at the 25 treasuries in the capital. Those which witnessed heavy rush include the Pension Payment sub-treasury at Kattakkada, treasuries at Kilimanoor and Parassala. Major treasuries began to distribute tokens at 7 am.


Technical snag hit payments at all treasuries in the state for a short period of time from 10.30.
In contrast to other districts, treasuries in the capital district by and large received adequate funds to meet the day’s requirement. The worst affected in the capital was Kilimanoor treasury which received Rs 10 lakh against the demand of Rs one core. The Neyyattinkara treasury placed request for Rs 1.50 crore but received only Rs 40 lakh.


The Medical College treasury one of the major centres in terms of transactions received Rs 7.5 lakh less than the request placed. Banks in the district too witnessed cash crunch but problems were not reported from any centres. Police personnel were deployed at all the treasuries and some banks which made requests in advance, City Police said.   

Seniors a relieved lot
All the treasuries had set up separate counters for those above the age of 80. Despite the rush, they managed to get cash in less time.

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