Ahead of Eid-ul-Adha festival, the poor and disabled people in the city felt completely dejected as the Aasara pensions, which are supposed to be distributed on or before 5th of every month, have not yet reached to them while the rural people are more fortunate to received the same almost four days ago.
The delay has added misery to the poor and the disabled people, especially in urban areas who are now blaming the government for treating people of rural and urban areas differently in distributing the dole.
It is learned that the beneficiaries in rural areas got their pensions of the month of June four days ago while the people in urban areas especially in Hyderabad and Rajendranagar area are still waiting to get the government dole which is supposed to be disbursed on or before 5th of every month.
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While the beneficiaries in Narsingi and other neighbouring municipalities started getting the pensions from 10 June, the beneficiaries at Rajendranagar under GHMC limits are still gaping at the government for the same. It is said that over 1600 disabled people are registered under the Aasara scheme in Rajendranagar and are getting pensions.
“Since several months we have been getting pensions only after 15th of every month which ought to be disbursed on or before 5th of every month. Majority of the beneficiaries are from poor and marginalized sections of the society where a penny also holds a great worth. We are leaving through the pandemic and the changing weather conditions too assailed with seasonal diseases that require timely treatment,” A.Srinivasulu, a disabled person from Gagan Pahad, under Rajendranagar.
“It is not at all appropriate on the part of the government and the district machinery to behave in such a prejudiced manner when it comes to distribution of Aasara pensions. Disabled people inherit several health issues that need proper medication and food on time. Delay in pension disbursement will in no way help them in their survival but add to their misery instead. While the delay in pension has a bearing on us we were forced to sit like a duck in our houses,” bemoaned Nagani Arjun, another disabled from Rajendranagar.
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When contacted the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) officials informed that the issue of delay in pension disbursement lies at government level. While the disbursement begins in rural areas from 5th of July onward, the same can’t be done in urban areas due to non release of funds from the government. We are just an implementing agency and could be able to act when the funds were released for disbursement
