Srinagar, Apr 22: Beneficiaries of Voluntary Service Allowance today accused the authorities of putting “unnecessary” conditions for them to get the allowance under the scheme.
 The beneficiaries said the authorities were asking them to submit NOCs and income certificates afresh every year, “which we find troublesome.”
 Terming the condition of submitting NOCs and income certificates afresh every year an “unnecessary practice”, the beneficiaries getting monthly VSR under Sher-e-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Program for Youth (SKEWPY) demanded that government should waive off this condition.
 “Every year we have to file new NOCs and income certificate. It is a hectic process to get the income certificate for which we have initiate the process a fresh every year,” the beneficiaries said.
 They said for an income certificate “we have to apply with the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned district. The certificate is issued only after one gets the report from a number of officials starting from Patwari and leading to a long ladder above.”
 The beneficiaries added: “It is so hectic a process to get the income certificate. First it takes us one or two weeks only to find the Patwari concerned. Once you find him, he will not give the report in the first instance. He will make you to make a number of visits to him. Similar is the case with other officials above the line.”
 Sajad Ahmad Mir, a SKEWPY beneficiary said: “Government should do away with the condition of getting the income certificates and NOCs afresh every year. At least the income certificate should be treated as valid up to the time the beneficiary gets adjusted or for three years, which ever is earlier.”
 The beneficiaries said: “It is also troublesome to get the NOCs from at least four different government agencies after every year.”
 “It looks very odd when you have to visit a government agency and seek an NOC for getting the allowance. One feels awkward while following this process,” said Atif Ahmad, a beneficiary, adding that the NOCs should be deemed valid at least for three years.
 “Last year, I had to spend around Rs 500 to get the NOCs. For income certificate I spent Rs 700. Now this year I have again been asked to get these documents afresh,” said Ajaz Ahmad, a beneficiary.
 He added: “It is irony that you have to pay for getting documents to be able to receive the unemployment allowance.”
 VSA beneficiaries suggested the government instead of asking for fresh documents/NOCs every year, should put a condition for the candidates getting employment in the government sector to seek the NOC from SKEWPY before joining the service.
 Pertinently, government had announced VSA on monthly basis to the youth who have crossed 28 years and are unemployed. The program was implemented from April 2010.
 Under the program government is providing allowance between Rs 500 to Rs 1100 per month to educated unemployed youth depending upon their qualification.
 Under VAS the youth are required to volunteer themselves for certain services.
 During 2010-11, 24,548 educated youth - 18152 from Kashmir division and 6396 from Jammu division - were given VSA. The total amount involved was Rs 9.39 crore. Out of which Rs 6.61 crore was disbursed in Kashmir and Rs. 2.70 crore in Jammu division.
 When contacted an official of Employment Exchange said: “The beneficiaries have to file fresh documents because the department needs to keep the record of youth registered under the scheme and also we have to check whether right people are availing benefits under this scheme.”

Lastupdate on : Sun, 22 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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