Shillong, March 8: Community & Rural Development Minister Hamletson Dohling has assured that old age pension and arrears will be cleared once all beneficiaries are registered under public financial management system (PFMS).
In reply to a question in the Assembly, Dohling said it is a fact that some beneficiaries of the National Old Age Pension Scheme have not received their pensions due to inabilities to register them with PMFS.
Over 4,493 beneficiaries are affected due to this. Of this, 1,177 are in South Garo Hills, 965 in West Jaintia Hills, 876 in West Garo Hills, 654 in Ri Bhoi, 312 in South West Garo Hills, 200 in South West Khasi Hills, 137 in East Khasi Hills, 119 in West Khasi Hills, 28 in North Garo Hills, 17 in East Garo Hills and 8 in East Jaintia Hills.
He said that last tranche of pension disbursed to the beneficiaries for nine districts was in February this year and for the remaining 2 districts, it was in January.
After AITC legislator from Umroi, George Lyngdoh raised concern over senior citizens being made to visit the banks for asking for their entitlements, Dohling said the delay was also due to beneficiaries providing incorrect bank details.
” Within a month this problem will be resolved so that all will get their entitlements when they are registered with the PMFS,” he said, while assuring that arrears will also be cleared once the PMFS registration is completed.
