Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 04 December 2023
In an effort to address critical issues affecting several beneficiaries in Great Nicobar Island, Mr. Prahlad Singh, the Pradhan of GP Laxmi Nagar, convened a meeting today with the Assistant Director of the Social Welfare Department in Port Blair. The primary agenda was to find solutions for the longstanding problem of numerous individuals not receiving their entitled old age and widow pensions.
Approximately 12 beneficiaries from Great Nicobar have been grappling with the absence of their pensions for an extended period, causing severe financial distress. Local attempts to resolve these issues had proven unsuccessful, prompting Mr. Prahlad Singh to escalate the matter to the Social Welfare Department.
During the meeting, Mr. Prahlad Singh presented the individual cases of each beneficiary for evaluation. The AD evaluated each case and the deficiencies in documentation such as the imperative need to link Aadhaar details etc. were promptly relayed to the Mukhya Sevika in Campbell Bay, instructing her to rectify the documentation deficiencies.
Recognising the criticality of Old Age and Widow Pensions for the livelihoods of many, both Mr. Singh and the department tried solving the issues leading to delays and non-disbursement of these essential social welfare benefits. These pensions serve as the primary means of subsistence for numerous beneficiaries, making the timely receipt of these funds a pressing matter.
The logistical challenges, compounded by the geographical distance between Campbell Bay and Port Blair, have hindered the swift resolution of these issues. The departmental staff at Campbell Bay faces difficulties in overcoming these bottlenecks, contributing to the prolonged delays in pension disbursement.
Efforts are now underway to streamline the documentation process and address the identified deficiencies to ensure the swift disbursement of pensions to the rightful beneficiaries. The collaborative efforts between local authorities and the Social Welfare Department aim to alleviate the financial hardships faced by these individuals in Great Nicobar.