Mayor directs SJSC Chairman led delegation to meet LG
Sanjeev K. Sharma
JAMMU, Jan 30: Officers from different departments answered to queries of elected representatives of the Urban Local Body during a two-day General House Meeting (GHM) of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) which started here today.
While informing about various schemes of his department, Tehsil Social Welfare Officer (TSWO), Manjit Singh in GHM said that for old age pensions new guidelines have been introduced under which only those people who have Priority House Holder (PHH) and Antyodaya (AAY) Ration Cards will be eligible for pension.
He also said that that those who were getting this pension earlier will now have also to apply online for getting their pensions re-sanctioned and such people will have to submit the birth certificate issued by certain authorities as are mentioned by the Social Welfare Department in new guidelines.
Over this Shama Akhtar, Independent Councillor from Ward number 71, intervened and said that it is not possible for people at the fag-end of their lives to again apply for the pensions which they were already getting.
“Many of these elders are even bedridden and others are not familiar with online procedures,” she said adding that the new guidelines should be made mandatory for the new cases but for the already existing ones the procedure should be made easy.
She was replied by TSWO Manjit Singh saying that this is a policy matter.
He further informed that there shall be no pension for Non-priority Household (NPH) Ration Card holders.
Rejecting the new guidelines, BJP Councillor Surjeet Singh of Ward number 43 intervened and said that these pensions should not be stopped as doing so will put many people in problems.
Another Independent Councillor Sham Lal Basson said that as per new guidelines, the existing pension beneficiaries availing pension under Integrated Social Security Scheme which include old age people, women in distress and physically disable persons have to re- submit their applications through online mode. “Different documents like Domicile Certificate, proof of residence, AAY/PHH Ration Card, proof of age etc are required for that as per new guidelines,” he maintained.
He threatened to resign if such guidelines are introduced and claimed that these things are clear denial of pension to poor.
BJP Councillor Anita Sharma of Ward 11 also had similar concern while Ward number 60 Councillor, Rajni Bala of Congress said that old age pensions should not be stopped but should be made easy.
“In present society even children avoid their parents and if anyhow a son gives some money to his old parents, his wife created hurdles,” she said adding that under all these circumstances old age pensions should not be stopped as most of the elders maintain their dignity and they avoid asking their children for money.
Sharda Devi, Ashok Manhas and other Councillors also expressed similar concern.
Over this the Jammu Mayor, Rajinder Sharma intervened and said that Chairman of Social Justice Standing Committee (SJSC) of JMC will soon lead a delegation in this regard to J&K Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha for getting a solution to the problem.
Officers from Traffic Police, Pollution Control Board and Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs also answered to the queries raised by the Councillors.
Tomorrow the GHM will take some resolutions and discussions on Modern Lanes and Drains etc.
Apart from this ACR Jammu will talk on removal of encroachments from water bodies within the limits of JMC, EESL Chief and JPDCL officer, officers from Forest Department will address and answer the members regarding issues concerning their departments.
Deputy Mayor, Baldev Singh Bilawaria and JMC Commissioner, Rahul Yadav were also present on the dais.
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