No 'Aasra' for pensioners in Telangana districts

MAHBUBNAGAR: Thousands of pensioners across Telangana state are in a jittery mood over the new guidelines on selection of beneficiaries for the new pension scheme 'Aasra'.
The scheme, launched with the aim of bringing all the existing pension schemes under its ambit for easy monitoring and quick disbursal, has failed to garner much interest as beneficiaries allege that thousands of pensioners, who are otherwise eligible, have been excluded from the list.
The exclusion from the pension list is coming as a shock for many as they had been benefitting by the government's pension scheme until now. Such was the shock for a widow who had been drawing pension for the last 20 years that she committed suicide after being declared ineligible under the new norms.
Meanwhile officials are taking into account the income of the children of beneficiaries while arriving at the income limit for grant of pensions under old age, widow and physically challenged categories. "I have no income of my own. How can officials consider the income of my son? Just because my son is employed in some private company, officials have denied pension to me," Shyam Rao, a villager said. He alleged that the state government has reduced the number of beneficiaries while increasing the quantum of money.
"The new scheme is benefiting a few and denying the benefit to many," said Sathamma of Pasupula village.
Similarly, widows are being asked to provide the death certificates of their husbands to get the pension. K Sathamma of Rudhram village of Navapet mandal has been running from pillar to post to get the death certificate of her husband. "My husband died 10 years ago. I did not take the death certificate then and now I can't get it unless I follow a long procedure. This is a big task for an illiterate woman like me," she said.
In another case, Ghousia Begum, 80, of Rudhram village was denied pension as her son is a police constable. She had been drawing pension for the last 15 years.
Balaiah, 55, of Kumarguda village of Kothur mandal lost his leg in a fatal accident three years ago. When he applied for pension under physically challenged quota, officials rejected his application saying he had not submitted the certificate under prescribed format issued as part of 'Sadarem' scheme.
When contacted, Mahbubnagar district collector GD Priyadarshini clarified that officials are not insisting on death or income certificates. "We are selecting beneficiaries based on local enquiries. Those above 65 years of age are eligible for pensions," she added.
Blurb: Annual income limit fixed for pension eligibility is Rs 1.50 lakh in villages and Rs 2.00 lakh in cities and towns