MARGAO
There’s finally good news in store for the seafarers and widows, beneficiaries of the government pension scheme.
For, the government has finally sanctioned funds to the tune of Rs 3.5 crore to disburse the pension to the beneficiaries, including the arrears for the months of December, January and February.
The beneficiaries had to go without the monthly pension of Rs 2,500 for the last three months for want of timely disbursal of funds by the government to the Office of NRI Affairs.
The Office of NRI Affairs had sought a grant of Rs 3.5 crore for a financial year for the disbursement of the beneficiaries and also to take care of the beneficiaries that would be included in the scheme in due course of time.
When contacted, the Director, NRI Affairs, Anthony D’Souza has informed that the office has received the government’s letter sanctioning Rs 3.5 crore for the disbursal of the pension amount to the beneficiaries. “Armed with the government’s sanction, my office has written to the Director of Accounts to credit the amount in the account of the NRI Affairs for disbursal of the funds to the intended beneficiaries,” he said.
When asked whether the beneficiaries will receive the arrears along with the pension for the month of March, D’Souza said the office will clear the backlog of arrears along with the pension for the month of March.
“In December, my office had cleared the pension of a number of beneficiaries, but there were many others who could not receive the pension along with the months of January and February. We will clear the arrears and also credit the pension of the month of March,” he said.
To a question, the Director, NRI Affairs said the department has received a circular on the question of seeding Aadhaar card of the beneficiaries with the bank account. “We are examining the circular and necessary measures will be initiated for its implementation,” he added.
