ES Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Sep 13: The All Arunachal Pradesh Divyangjan Beneficiaries Committee (AAPDBC) has threatened  to stage a hunger strike in response to the lackadaisical attitude of the state government to address their concerns regarding pension schemes. This decision comes after the committee issued a 14-day ultimatum to the state government, which yielded no satisfactory response.
Speaking to the media at the press club on Wednesday, AAPDBC Chairman, Nido Teji, expressed deep concern over the state's inability to disburse pending pension payments to the beneficiaries. The Divyangjans (persons with disabilities) are legally entitled to benefits under various schemes, including the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Family Benefits Scheme, and Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme.
However, according to information obtained through Right to Information (RTI) requests, it was revealed that the Department of Social Justice Empowerment & Tribal Affairs (SJETA) has failed to systematically and properly allocate pension amounts for the past five years. The committee found that the department also neglected to provide utilization certificates (UC) and beneficiary lists for the years 2018 to 2022, resulting in the central department's inability to allocate funds for these schemes.
Teji, further asserted that in 2018-19, pensions were distributed to disabled individuals and widows but not to senior citizens. Similarly, in 2019-20, old age pensions were disbursed, but disabled and widowed beneficiaries were left without support. This pattern continued into the year 2020-21, stated the Chairman.
The committee further raised questions about the department's failure to release the pending amounts to beneficiaries and its reluctance to forward utilization certificates to the central department. "Beneficiaries are only receiving payments from the state government, rather than the central government. We urge the state government to investigate the matter of non-submission of UCs to the central department by the SJETA," Teji emphasized.
The committee also demanded an explanation for the lapses in pension disbursement under the schemes. They have submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Pema Khandu, appealing for swift action against the responsible officials who have contributed to these delays.
Meanwhile, AAPDBC member Chungma Sangbia called upon the entire Divyangjan community in the state to cooperate and participate in the hunger strike, should it be announced in the near future.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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