Srikakulam: Complaints pour in on social security pensions

Srikakulam: Complaints pour in from across the district on social security pensions. The government is distributing Rs 2,250 as pension every month to old aged and it was proposed to enhance it as Rs 2,500 soon. Eligibility to get these pensions is one should attain 60 years of age. But in most villages, those persons who are aged between

40 to 50 years changed their age in Aadhaar cards as 60 to get pensions. In G Sigadam mandal in Anandapuram village, N Ramana, Ch Ramana and P Mohan, B Venkata Rao, D Venkanna and others in Santhavuriti village allegedly changed their age in Aadhaar cards as per information provided by the TDP and BJP leaders. They are also making a series of complaints on the irregularities regarding pensions. The total number of pensions are 3, 45, 940 and the newly sanctioned pensions are 30,715. Of the total existing pensions, 25,603 pensions are being under verification and stopped distribution of pensions to those beneficiaries. District Collector J Nivas on Friday said they were going to verify pensioners' lists door-to-door soon.

He appealed to beneficiaries to submit their details within a week at their respective mandal level offices if their pensions were stopped for its revival.