Revised capping on annual income…

Officers and staff busy with SIR related processes; verification of records of social security pension schemes beneficiaries delayed putting 1.6 lakh beneficiaries in a state of fix

Mysuru: Over 1.6 lakh beneficiaries of social security pension schemes in Mysuru district, continue to run from pillar to post, with the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls adding to their woes.

The State Government has slashed the capping on annual income to avail the pension to Rs. 32,000. Following which, the process of verifying the annual income of several social security pension receivers like that of senior citizens pension, widow pension, physically disabled among others, has begun, thus putting a temporary break on the monthly pension disbursed to them. Similar is the situation Statewide, with the beneficiaries’ numbers touching several lakhs.

As per revised norms, the beneficiaries will be entitled to receive the pension, if he or she has annual income below Rs. 32,000, along with Below Poverty Line (BPL) card. Now, those having annual income above Rs. 32,000, errors in their names and e-KYC related issues are caught in a limbo. Till the issue is resolved, they will be deprived of the financial benefit. Amidst this, the ongoing SIR process has aggravated their grievances further, with the officers remaining inaccessible, most of the time.

In Mysuru district alone, there are a total of 4.04 lakh (4,04,102) beneficiaries, among whom 1,33,819 are marked, with their pensions put on hold. While the authorities have issued notice to them to verify their records, the beneficiaries are making a beeline at Taluk Offices to get Income Certificate and rectify errors related to their names.

To enable those aware of technology, Samyojane mobile app is available to cross check records on their own. But imagine the plight of those not aware of using cell phones, with some not having any access to a cell phone.

The hapless beneficiaries with whom Star of Mysore spoke, narrated their ordeal. They insisted on continuing with the existing norm of BPL card and the ceiling of annual income of Rs. 1.2 lakh. With the slash in capping on annual income to Rs.32,000, the Government has indirectly meted out a punishment.

Tahsildar of Mysuru taluk K.M. Mahesh Kumar said, the Government is mulling over developing a new software for the convenience of pension beneficiaries, which will address the issues in the coming days. Now, with the officers and other staff busy with SIR process, there has been a delay in verifying the documents of beneficiaries. Once the SIR process concludes, the issues will be addressed on priority.