Jammu, July 19: Nearly 80,000 applications seeking pension under the Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS) are pending with the Social Welfare Department in Jammu region, denying the financial assistance to the beneficiaries to be targeted under the scheme.
 The scheme is fully financed and sponsored by the state government.
 While the officials claim that scarcity of funds is delaying the  approval of the pending cases, but sources said corruption and embezzlement in the department has slowed down the process in entire state with the needy being the end sufferers.
 ISSS covers aged, handicapped, widows and other poor sections of the society who have been brought under the scheme to allow them to live a life of dignity.
 Under the scheme a meager amount of Rs 200 per month is being given to widows, destitute, divorces and old people, while Rs 400 is being paid to physically challenged persons.
 “Lack of coordination between the concerned district authorities and the officials of the nodal Social Welfare Department has rendered the implementation of ISSS in Jammu and Kashmir a total failure. Similar is the situation in valley too”, sources said.
 They said taking serious note of the matter during the recently held Jammu District Development Board (DDB) meeting, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah constituted a committee under Chief Secretary Madhav Lal to address the issue, adding it was unlikely to provide any immediate respite to the people seeking pension under the scheme. 
 Admitting the lapse, director Social Welfare, Jammu Mehmood Rana said, “Nearly 80,000 cases are pending with the department, but we cannot do anything in absence of the funds. Now the committee formed by the Chief Minister will decide on the issue”.
 Rana added, “A committee is studying the whole issue and will release necessary funds towards the scheme.”
 A senior official said the failure of the higher authorities in the Social Welfare Department to dispose off the pending applications seeking pension under the ISSS substantiates allegations about the poor implementation of the welfare schemes.
 “Even as the state government has announced a number of programmes for the upliftment of the marginalised and neglected people of society, the authorities concerned have failed to properly implement the existing welfare measures due to nepotism and corruption in the departments concerned”, sources said.
 The scheme has so far covered 3, 43,180 beneficiaries, but a majority of them are also facing hardships in getting pension. Earlier, the amount was paid by cheque sent through post, but after allegations of bungling in the disbursement of pension the government decided to make payments through banks.
 “Despite claims of the authorities of ensuring the payment of pension by the 7th of every month, a majority of the pensioners are facing inordinate delay in getting pensions”, sources added.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 19 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Mecca time
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