Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug 11: In a heartfelt appeal submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman, noted social worker and LG Commendation Awardee Mrs. VD Leju has raised serious concerns regarding the delayed disbursement of pension payments to beneficiaries under various welfare schemes, including old-age pension, widow pension, specially-abled support schemes, and aid for destitute individuals.
In her representation, Mrs. Leju highlighted the extreme hardship faced by elderly and specially-abled citizens due to irregularities and delays in pension crediting by banks. “Beneficiaries are often forced to wait for months, uncertain of when they will receive their entitled support. For many, this modest amount of ₹2,500–₹3,000 is their only means of survival,” she stated.
To address the situation, she has urged the Secretary (Social Welfare) and banking authorities to implement the following immediate measures:
• Fix a definite date for monthly pension disbursement, preferably in the first week of each month.
• Designate two fixed days for priority pension payments at banks.
• Set up dedicated bank counters exclusively for pension beneficiaries.
• Establish clear communication channels through notices, SMS alerts, or public announcements to inform pensioners of disbursement dates in advance.
• Implement doorstep delivery of pensions for bedridden, abandoned, or immobile individuals, as per existing provisions.
Mrs. Leju also raised an important question on equity: “When government employees receive their salaries on time every month, why can’t the same consistency be ensured for pensioners who depend solely on this meager amount for their daily needs?”
Calling for urgent intervention by the Administration, she emphasized that regular and timely pension payments are not just a matter of efficiency but one of dignity and survival for the most vulnerable sections of society.
The appeal reflects the growing concerns of civil society regarding the gap between policy implementation and grassroots realities, and calls for an empathetic, structured, and transparent approach to social welfare delivery in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
