ADILABAD: The demonetisation of high-value currency notes and shortage of lower denomination notes has created new problems for pensioners. Officials have introduced a ‘joint pension system’ for beneficiaries under the Aasara scheme. The Rs 1,000 pensions are given to the elderly, widows, disabled persons, beedi rollers and toddy tappers and others by the state government.
Post office staff is issuing one Rs 2,000 currency note jointly to two old-age pensioners and asking them to split it up, leaving them to scout around for lower value notes. The Ichoda post office staff issued Rs 2,000 currency notes jointly to nearly 40 old-age pensioners. The joint pension amount was issued to pensioners who are neighbours.
There was a huge rush of old age pensioners for the last two days. Mr Landge Motiram and Mr Dahipade Vittal of Subhashnagar Colony were among those who were given the ‘joint pension’. Mr Motiram said they were facing difficulty in sharing the Rs 2,000 note as no one was giving them change. The same problems is much prevalent in the tribal areas as Adivasis were given Rs 2,000 currency note and asked to share it between themselves.
