There are several eligible old-aged people in the State who have been denied pension under the old-age pension scheme being provided by the Manipur Government. This was claimed by none other than Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday.
N Biren Singh, who has taken some innovative steps in Manipur after he became the Chief Minister of the State, on Tuesday ordered an examination of the process of selection of persons who fall in the category of Below Poverty Line (BPL).
Chief Minister Singh alleged that while several eligible persons have been left out of the ambit of the old-age pension scheme, “Instead, it has been found that some government employees and other well-off persons, who have comfortable income, were issued the old age pension scheme cards.”
Stating that concerned officials would be put into service to unearth the loopholes, the Manipur Chief Minister said, “Officials will check it by going to the villages.”
It may be mentioned that the media has brought to light many such instances where the people from the extremely poor sections have been denied any support from the government for treatment and run their day-to-day lives in a smooth way.
According to officials, the selection of persons for BPL cards seems to have been issued on political and personal considerations.
Chief Minister Biren said, “It is very unfortunate that BPL persons had been selected on other considerations. It will be rectified after proper verification.”
As per media reports, Shanerou Paomei of Senapati district of the State, who is over 100 years of age and several other old-aged people who are eligible for availing old age pension have not ever heard of the pension scheme.