VIJAYAWADA : The State government is likely to rope in employees of ward and village secretariat to disburse social security pensions to the beneficiaries at their doorstep.
Following the Election Commission of India’s decision barring the village/ward volunteers from disbursing pensions, Chief Secretary KS Jawahar Reddy on Monday held a meeting with the district collectors on identifying alternative ways.
The collectors reportedly opined that the disbursal process can be completed in a week. They reportedly expressed their view that the secretariat staff can pay pensions at the doorstep of the beneficiaries in rural areas in a week. However, in cities and towns, the door-to-door disbursement might be a little difficult, they reportedly told the Chief Secretary.
A volunteer covers 50 houses under his jurisdiction and knows each and every household. Similarly, the government has brought administration closer to the people by setting up ward and village secretariats with nearly 10-15 employees. All the basic needs like issuance of certificates have been done at these secretariats and the staff have developed rapport with the people under their jurisdiction and know the beneficiaries of various schemes.
As the employees are aware of the beneficiaries, the government might use their services to disburse the pensions. The collectors also reportedly said that if the government decides to disburse pensions at the secretariats, arrangements like erecting of tents and drinking water should be made in view of the heat wave conditions.