MARGAO
Social Welfare Minister Subhash Faldesai on Sunday said the government would soon implement Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the senior citizens availing the DSS scheme so that the beneficiaries walk into the banks with their head held high to claim their pension as a matter of right.
The Minister has further assured the senior citizens that the government would explore the possibility of making budgetary provision to fund the activities of the All Goa Senior Citizens’ Federation working for senior citizens. He has also assured the Federation of senior citizens that he would arrange funds, either from the government or under Corporate Social Responsibility (SCR) to revive the annual sports event organized by the Federation.
Speaking at a program organsied by the All Goa Senior Citizens’ Federation to mark World Elders Day at the Ravindra bhavan, Margao, the Social Welfare Minister said that the elders getting the DSS pension should not remain at the mercy of the bank officials and staff when they go to collect their pension. “Hence, the government headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has decided to implement Direct Benefit Transfer to the DSS holders so that they go straight into the banks and withdraw their money. The senior citizens will no longer be at the mercy of the banking staff to inquire whether their pension has come into their accounts or not," Faldesai said.
Referring to the plea made by the President of All Goa Senior Citizens’ Federation Diego Da Costa for funding of the Federation in view of the resource crunch faced by the NGO, the Minister assured to explore the possibility of making budgetary provision for the NGO on the lines of Umid centres.
The function was addressed by Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuemkar, Ravindra bhavan Chairman Rajendra Talak and others, besides Director Social Welfare Ajit Panchwadkar.
Meanwhile, the Social Welfare Minister has said that the department is issuing senior citizens cards to the elders across the state, which can be availed to seek bus concession.
When his attention was drawn to the complaint made by the Federation of Senior citizens that the cards issued by the NGO are not accepted by the KTC to grant travel concessions to the elders, Faldesai said the KTC will only recognize the cards issued by the social welfare department. “We have issued over a lakh senior citizens cards and if there are people, who have not done the cards, they can approach the local panchayats where the field workers of the Social welfare department will help them to obtain a card,” he said.
When his attention was further drawn to the state of affairs of the old age homes run by the Proveroria, Faldesai said though Provedoria does not come under the Social Welfare department, he would discuss the situation with Chief Minister Pramod Sawat to improve the conditions of the old age homes.
