Release widows, old-age pension: Tarigami

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 31: Expressing serious concern over the pathetic condition of widows, orphans, destitute, specially abled and old-aged people in the State, CPI (M) leader and MLA  Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami sought personal intervention of Governor NN Vohra for release of their long pending pensions in their favour.
In a press statement issued here today, Tarigami has  reiterated his call for enhancement of State share towards the welfare of this downtrodden section of the society.
“Rs 200-400 financial assistance to widows, old-aged people is too small an amount to fetch them medicines,” Tarigami said adding that the amount received by widows, old aged and orphans after running from pillar to post in Social Welfare Department needs to be reviewed and enhanced without any further delay.
The CPI (M) leader also remarked that instead of spending money on unproductive areas, the Government must focus and utilize that money in providing financial assistance to the uncovered segments of the society who are in extreme distress.
“Thousands of financial assistance cases of widows, orphans, old aged people and handicapped persons are pending for years before Social Welfare offices in different districts of the State for want of funds. The condition of these needy people has been worsened by the delay in release of their meagre monetary entitlements,” Tarigami remarked.
He also called for a comprehensive reservation policy for the disabled in private educational institutions, training and professional colleges and other employment concerns to empower the specially-abled population in the State.
Referring to his various motions moved in the Legislative Assembly from time to time, the CPI (M) leader reiterated his call for enhancement of the monetary relief in favour of this distressed section of the society.