THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: More than 15,000 beneficiaries under the city corporation are struggling to get their pensions for the past few months. The State Government has blocked the pension site wherein the corporation was supposed to enter the details of the beneficiaries, only after which they can avail the pension.
The government blocked the site on May 2017 after a few fraud pension claims were made via the site. The authorities, in its bid to filter the site, are weeding out ineligible beneficiaries. The government has entrusted Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation to do a survey regarding the modifications in this regard.
“During the survey conducted by Kudumbashree, the Corporation noted several instances where deaths of beneficiaries were not reported and relatives continued to receive money. Steps are being taken by the government and corporation to stop such manipulation and find the genuine cases,” said Geetha Gopal, chairman of Welfare Standing Committee.
However, the move has affected many. “I have been coming here for past eight months to inquire about my pension. The council has passed the application but I still have not received it. Every time, I return back with the assurance that my dues will be cleared by next month,” said Gopinathan K K, a pensioner.
The site, which was opened for few days during Vishu, disbursed pension to few beneficiaries and now the corporation staffs are expecting it to be opened before Onam.
“The council is responsible to collect the application from the beneficiaries and create a list of people based on the eligibility criteria. This list is then passed to the revenue inspector for further inspection. The final list, which will be passed by the council, has to be uploaded on the site. The data entry is possible only once the government open the site and the fund could be allotted to the pensioners,” said Manoj M, who is a clerk in the pension section of the Corporation.
“The corporation is in a discussion with the government to deliver monthly pensions to the beneficiaries instead of the current delays,” said Mayor V K Prasanth.At present, five types of social security pensions are being disbursed to 42.14 lakh beneficiaries in the state. Of which disability pension is the only one that is being delivered without delay. Most of the suspended pensions come under old age and widow pensions.