Disabled face problems with joint pension

Mancherial: In the aftermath of withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes from circulation, the authorities, with Rs 100 notes’ shortage staring in their face, are passing the buck to Aasara pensioners, some of whom are physically challenged.

Pension disbursing authorities have introduced a ‘joint pension system' for beneficiaries under the Aasara scheme. Post office staff is issuing one Rs 2,000 currency note jointly to two old-age persons asking them to share the amount equally.

In case of physically challenged, the authorities are giving Rs 2,000 note and Rs 1,000 in the denomination of Rs 100 and asking them to share the amount equally. The pension for the physically challenged under Aasara is Rs 1,500 per month.

The pensioners are searching for all ways to get the change for Rs 2,000 note but in vain. Securing change for Rs 2000 has been extremely difficult, the pensioners lamented.

Aasara beneficiaries Durgam Madunamma and Sammakka - who are physically challenged - said that they have been trying to get change for the big note since morning but in vain. They poured over their problems while welcoming the decision to withdraw the high-value currency notes.

As people like them are encountering problems, Madunamma and Sammakka have been appealing to the State government to make Rs 100 notes available to save them from trials and tribulations about securing change.