Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Nov 1: An amount of nearly Rs 60 crore is needed to clear nearly 1.50 lakh cases pending in the State Social Welfare Department while rates of widow/old age pension have not been revised since long despite the fact that prices of all the items have gone sky high.
The pendency of these cases including 81,262 under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) of the Central Social Welfare Department, is lying uncleared for the last more than three to four years now while the top State Social Welfare Department officials claim that there were no sufficient funds for clearance of these cases. The poor and hapless widows and old age persons from Below Poverty Line (BPL) category who had applied for the sanction of the cases were taking rounds of the offices of the Social Welfare Department but they were getting the same reply every time that sanction has not been accorded by the Deputy Commissioner being chairman of the Committee.
Data compiled from the State Social Welfare Department revealed that under NSAP (IGNOAPS), there were 44262 pending cases for clearance in Kashmir division. Out of these the highest 13268 applications were pending in district Baramulla, 8751 in district Budgam, 5572 in Kupwara, 5339 in Srinagar, 4247 in Anantnag, 2378 in Bandipora, 1330 in Pulwama, 1268 in Kulga, 833 in Ganderbal whereas, 325 in Shopian district. In Kargil the number of pending cases under the Scheme were 746 whereas, in Leh just 217 pending cases.
In ten districts of Jammu region, the number of pending cases under NSAP (IGNOAPS) was 36,988. The highest number of 5403 cases were pending in district Doda, followed by 4849 in Udhampur, 4796 in Jammu, 4563 in Kishtwar, 4126 in Reasi, 3739 in Poonch, 3726 in Rajouri, 2569 in Kathua, 2525 in Ramban whereas, 692 in Samba district. The total pending applications till today under this Centrally sponsored scheme in both the regions are 81262.
The sources in the department said that in order to cover these pending applications under the scheme, Rs 39 crore each under Central and State Share at the rate of Rs 200 each per month per beneficiary aggregating to a total of Rs 19.30 crore are required annually. The matter for enhancement of existing targets of beneficiaries of 1,29,000 and release of requisite funds has been taken up with the concerned authorities at the Centre.
Again, under Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS), covering widows, women in distress, old age persons and Physically handicapped people, a total 68575 cases were pending since long in the two regions of the State. The similar figures were presented in the State legislature during this year’s Budget session by the concerned Minister. Out of the total 44,360 cases pertained to Jammu region while 24216 from Kashmir.
The data further indicated that the highest number of 11,411 cases were pending in Jammu district, followed by 6500 in Anantnag, 4809 in Baramulla, 5745 in Poonch, 5617 in Rajouri, 4700 in Kathua, 4263 in Udhampur, 3828 in Reasi, 3550 in Kupwara, 3093 in Samba and the lowest of 150 in Shopian. In Kargil the number of pending cases were 700 whereas, in Leh just 300. Under Physically Handicapped category the total number of pending cases projected were 17098 out of which 11,046 cases pertained to Jammu region. In Kashmir region, over 6052 handicapped persons have been denied pensions so far by the department. The total number of pending cases of widows are 19717, where as 31.761 are old aged persons waiting for the last several years for the pension under national Social Security Scheme.
A top officer in the department revealed that for covering these pending cases funds to the tune of over Rs 20.56 crore are needed . Out of this, 50 % funds amounting to Rs 10.28 crore each would have to be arranged under Plan and Nan-Plan Budget annually. He pointed out that since 2008-09, 51350 additional cases were cleared under (IGOAPS) while 34,038 cases under ISSS up to ending 2012-13. Besiders this from 2010, the Union Government introduced two new schemes under NSAP called as IGNWPS and IGNDPS covering 4730 and 4048 cases, respectively. The pendency of the cases under all the schemes in the State was to the order of 1,49,838 cases.
Director Social Welfare Department Jammu M H Bhati when contacted said that the cases under NSAP were lying pending since long and it was not possible for the department to clear the pendency till the funds from the Centre are sanctioned for the purpose. He claimed that the Minister concerned has already taken up the issue with the Central Government. He pointed out that earlier the rate of pension under the scheme was Rs 200 per month but it has now been enhanced to Rs 400. The handicapped persons are also getting Rs 400 per month social security pension whereas, the rate under ISSS for other categories was same (Rs 200 per month).
Replying to a question, regarding non-clearance of long pendency of cases, Mr Bhatti said cases under ISSS are being cleared by the District committees led by Deputy Commissioners concerned. Many cases has so far been cleared in phased manner and the pending ones will also be covered in coming months. He said DC is the chairman of the committee while District Social Welfare Officer, Member Secretary whereas, Chief Medical Officer, Secretary of the committee. When asked about the criteria of sanctioning such pensions, the Director said that BPL category is the main requirement besides some other parameters but in case of handicapped persons, this is not essential. He disclosed that there was great pressure from the legislators and other representatives including Sarpanchs and community leaders to clear pending cases and the efforts were being made to clear the pendency.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel