Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 15: To express resentment against the harassment faced during their re-registration, dozens of disabled persons, widows and old age people today held a protest demonstration at Akhnoor under the banner of ALL J&K Disable Welfare Trust.
The protest was led by the chairman of the Trust Sushil Sharma. Many including social activists, political leaders and beneficiaries present during the protest expressed their dismay over the decision of re-registration of beneficiaries by the Social Welfare Department as this has increased hardships of an already suffering class.
Sham Lal (president of All J&K Disable Welfare Trust), while expressing his resentment, alleged that they were made to move from one office to another after the Government asked to submit several of their documents again. He said our age certificates require attestation by the medical officer and an affidavit attested from a 1st Class Magistrate, has created a huge inconvenience for us.
Sushil Sharma, who himself is a disable, said that what has compounded the problems for the beneficiaries is that disabled and old age people have to wait for hours in queue of different offices. “The administration has created a problem for us and they are very cruel while dealing with us. Some of us have to travel from far-flung areas and there is a risk for disabled and old age persons in this process,” he added.
Sharma said around 70% pensions have been stopped whose re-registration is not done after February 2023. He said the department is making a number of unnecessary objections when they are applying online for re-verification.
The protesting people gave an ultimatum of one month to the Government to start all pensions which have been stopped and demanded to make the re-registration process simplest. Others present during the protest were Tarsem Lal, Vakeel Chand, Bansi Lal, Ashok Singh, Rita Devi, Toshi Devi etc.
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