Pratibandhi Suraksha Sangstha, Assam (PSSA) demand release of pension-scheme funds

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Pratibandhi Suraksha Sangstha, Assam (PSSA) on Wednesday, demanded the release of amount sanctioned under the Deen Dayal Divyangjan Pension scheme for the year 2019-20. The PSSA stated that as many as 13,753 beneficiaries were identified under the scheme. "On February 25, the Social Welfare Department submitted a proposal to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Social Department to release a sanctioned amount of Rs 16,50,36,000 under the scheme. But, the amount was not released by the Finance Department for which the 13,753 differently abled beneficiaries are being deprived," said PSSA secretary Nripen Malakar.

Further, Malakar slammed the State government by stating that it has not taken any initiative to provide one-time assistance of Rs 1,000 which was announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman on March 26. The assistance was announced to bring relief to the differently abled during the lockdown.

On April 23, the PSSA submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, the State Finance Minister, and the Chief Secretary appealing them to release the amount which was announced by Sitharaman. The body threatened that if the government doesn't take any initiative within June 30, then they will stage protests. 

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