GUNTUR: Pensioners continue to bear the brunt of demonetisation and numerous restrictions imposed by the Centre on withdrawal of cash from banks.
Many pensioners in Guntur district do not have bank accounts. A majority of those who got bank accounts, have not linked them with their Aadhaar Cards or obtained RuPay Cards to withdraw their social security benefit. As per the records of CRDA (Capital Region Development Authority), 53,959 pensioners do not have bank accounts prior to demonetisation of higher value notes.
After reviewing the cash supply and considering the woes of beneficiaries of social security schemes, the State Government has decided to distribute pensions through municipalities in urban areas and through gram panchayats in rural areas. There is also the provision of crediting the amount directly into the accounts of the beneficiaries through online transaction. The municipal and panchayat staff are taking the thumb impression of pensioners for payment of pensions to the beneficiaries. Iris checking for distribution of the social security benefit to pensioners is also being done.
Though the CRDA officials have taken the initiative to open new bank accounts for the beneficiaries of social security schemes, the process is going on at a slow pace. It is a tough task to open new bank accounts for thousands of pensioners.
Uyyala Lakshmamma of Nuzendla village said she could not withdraw her pension last month as well as this month as she does not have Aadhaar Card.
She came to make a representation to officials in this regard at Janmabhoomi Maa Vooru programme on Tuesday. Similarly, Vallepu Santosham of Nadigadda SC Colony in Vinukonda, said he is yet receive his last month pension.
Speaking to TNIE, Guntur Municipal Corporation Project Officer D Simhachalam said they had already disbursed 8,000 pensions on Monday and 4,000 on Tuesday. More pensions will be distributed to the beneficiaries in a couple of days. Due to wrong entry of details, around 200 pensioners cannot withdraw their money from their bank accounts.”
DRDA Project Officer Sk Abib Basha said 70,000 pensions were distributed to the beneficiaries in the district on Monday. Another 70,000 pensioners got the social security benefit on Tuesday. “Considering the problems faced by the pensioners in getting the social security benefit last month, the State Government has taken a decision to pay cash to pensioners. All the pensioners will get their social security benefit soon,” he added.