Jammu, June 20(KNS): Apni Party leaders, and workers today staged a protest demonstration against the harassment of the old age pensioners because of re-verification formalities.
The Apni Party leaders also demanded enhancement of the old age pension from Rs 1000 up to Rs 5000 keeping in view the price of the essential commodities, and medicines. To highlight the issues faced by the old age pensioner, a peaceful protest demonstration was organized outside the Director Social Welfare, Jammu by the Apni Party. The protesters were led by Apni Party Women Wing, Provincial President, Jammu, Pavneet Kour. The protest was also joined by District President Women Wing, Ritu Pandita, Spokesperson, and Vice President Youth Wing, Raqeeq Ahmed Khan, Provincial President, Jammu Youth Wing, Vipul Bali, Shivani Koul, Sheekha Bhardwaj, Renu Rajput, Harbir Kour, Anshu, Shenaz, Tirath Singh, Yash Choudhary, Rajinder Singh, Devinder Gill and others.
As soon as the protesters gathered outside the Director Social Welfare, Jammu, the police contingent stopped the protesters from proceeding inside the office complex and for over an hour, the protesters and police were face to face during the peaceful protest demonstration. Succumbing to pressure of continuous protest by the Apni Party leaders, the protesters led by Pavneet Kour and other leaders were allowed to meet the Director Social Welfare at her office.
During their interaction with the Director Social Welfare, Jammu; the Apni Party leaders submitted a memorandum of demands. Pavneet Kour said that the Director was informed about the difficulties being faced by old age pensioners because of the touch verification process and documents being demanded from them.
“These formalities should be simplified and special camps should be organized for the old age pensioners at their respective villages, and blocks to ensure that they may not face harassment. At this age, many of such pensioners are not in good health, and they cannot move from one place to another without the help of others. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the authorities to provide them all possible help at the doorstep,” she said while interacting with the director. She further said that the old age pensioners are getting Rs 1000 which needs to be enhanced up to Rs 5000 keeping in view the price rise of the essential commodities, and medicines. “The Govt should consider the demands on humanitarian basis and help these elderly pensioners facing multiple health issues and other things. Hence, the enhancement of their old age pension is a must,” she added.
She further stated that the health camps should also be organized by the Social Welfare Department at the village and block level. She also demanded proper verification in the distribution of scooty and wheel chairs for the disabled people in J&K. “These things should be given to the disabled persons on merits because several cases of selective approach from the authorities have come to the notice,” she said. On hearing the Apni Party leaders, the Director Social Welfare Jammu assured that she will look into their demands and appropriate action will be taken.(KNS).