Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 03 November 2025
In response to an appeal by Mrs. V.D. Leju, a social worker and recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Commendation Award for Social Work, the Directorate of Social Welfare has informed her that measures are being taken to ensure smoother and more timely disbursement of social welfare pensions across the islands.
Leju, in a letter dated August 8, 2025, had urged the South Andaman District Administration to fix a definite date for pension disbursement through banks, citing the hardships faced by old-age, widow, specially-abled, and destitute beneficiaries due to irregular payment schedules. She highlighted that delays — sometimes lasting for months — caused financial and emotional distress to some of the most vulnerable sections of society.
In her representation, Leju suggested that pensions be credited without fail during the first week of every month, with banks earmarking two fixed days for pension disbursal on a priority basis, setting up dedicated counters, and establishing clear communication channels such as SMS alerts or public notices. She also proposed doorstep delivery of pensions for those unable to travel to banks.
In its reply dated October 20, 2025, the Directorate of Social Welfare informed the social worker that pensions are currently credited to beneficiaries’ accounts on the last working day of each month. The Directorate further stated that, after discussions with bank managers, it has been agreed to fix two specific days in the first week of every month for disbursement and to set up dedicated counters for pension beneficiaries to ensure smooth and timely transactions.
The Directorate also mentioned that doorstep pension delivery is already being provided to beneficiaries who require this facility.
The communication reflects a positive administrative response to citizen advocacy, addressing long-standing concerns about delayed pension payments in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
