Nizamabad: Neither Dasara nor Diwali has brought any cheer to the pensioners as the TRS government failed to hike pension amount as promised by it in the election manifesto.
Thousands of beneficiaries are eagerly waiting for the hike in pensions, but the hike is nowhere in sight so far. However, the government has partially paid some pensions in first week of October.
The TRS had promised in its election manifesto that the pension amount of Rs 200 will be hiked to Rs 1,000 and pension for disabled persons will be increased from existing Rs 500 to 1,500 per month.
Most of the beneficiaries hoped that they would get the hike in pension soon after the government was sworn in. For the past five months, they are eagerly waiting for the hike in pension, but they have received nothing so far.
Citing various reasons, the government did not hike the pension amount for old age, weaver, disabled, widow, toddy topper and Abhayahastam categories.
The pensioners are making rounds to the government offices to inquire about the status of their pensions and also watching the TV channels to hear the good news.
Mallaiah Yadav, 71, from Gouthamnagar in Nizamabad Municipal Corporation, said he worked as a rickshaw puller for four decades. “I am depending on my pension for the past 10 years and I will be able to meet my expenses with the hike in pension,” he said.
On the other hand, the government’s initiatives to streamline the pension schemes have also created fear among the beneficiaries. Due to technical reasons and apathy of the officials, many eligible persons did not get pensions.
They expressed anguish over the modalities of the government and urged the authorities to take utmost care while finalising the beneficiaries’ lists.
Speaking to this newspaper, CPI (M) Nizamabad city unit secretary Dandi Venkat said, “There are apprehensions that the pensions will be withdrawn in largescale,” he said.
All Communist parties in Telangana have decided to call for an agitation on November 4 on the pension’s issue, he added.
