Crowd at bank on pension day upsets elders

The beneficiaries demanded that the government should find an alternative way to disburse the monthly pension. 

While a number of senior citizens were seen reclining on the barricades on the road as their energy was going down, many women who came with their kids used their saris as cover to escape the sun. 

Sources said that earlier the government was paying the amount through postal delivery and the beneficiaries were receiving their pension at their doors. A couple of years ago, some changes were introduced in the payment mode to avoid misappropriation of the money and the pension was disbursed through banks for which the beneficiaries were asked to open savings bank accounts. 

Since all government departments, banks and other organisations disburse the pension through banks during the month end, almost all bank branches will be full packed. This has complicated the situation for senior citizens who have to battle it out in the banks to get their monthly dole. 

“The officials concerned should take effective steps and make the process a hassle-free one for elders,” said a 63-year old woman beneficiary. It is nothing wrong to revert to the old system, she felt. When contacted, a staff from the bank, said that most of the beneficiaries have debit cards. “Only those who do not know to write or read, come to the branches to get their benefits. Of course, there will be big crowd during month end, but we are able to tackle it,” the staff said.