Several eligible persons were deprived of pensions under social security scheme in the Baleswar Municipality. The persons who are waiting for years to get pension were under differently- abled, mentally retarded ,widow and old age, etc. categories
The applicants while alleged that the municipal office had become literally defunct after dissolution of the council for more than a year, the authorities maintained that the applications received were being verified against the claim for genuineness including age, yearly income etc at different levels causing the delay .
According to sources, by December for the pension under social security while 1,393 applicants have applied, only 30 have been granted pension. Laxman Behera, a resident of ward No. 26, said although about 50 residents applied for pension under social security scheme yet only 13 could get and the fate of the rest was hanging in balance.
“The situation has emerged as the council is dissolved for more than a year and no one is here to listen to their grievances,” said Behera.
Echoing similar view another resident of ward No. 24, Dugacharan Kar alleged, "My wife is eligible for old age pension. Despite submitting the required documents there is no sign of approval. Even after running to the municipality office, there is no result.” The officials at the municipality said that in the first phase, while 320 applications were sent to revenue inspector for verification and report in the subsequent phases, 123 and 85 applications were dispatched for inquiry report. Since these applications are pending for report, the pension for them couldn’t be approved.
Sources, however, said the Baleswar Municipality is not an exception. Residents of other municipalities and urban local bodies eligible for pension under different social security schemes were too waiting for years to get the same.