Committee formed to look into non-disbural of welfare pension

Kerala Government today constituted a four-member ministerial sub-committee to look into the widespread complaints of non-disbursal of welfare pension amounts on time.
The committee, comprises Culture Minister, K C Joseph, Tourism Minister, A P Anil Kumar, Labour Minister, Shibu Baby John and Social Justice and Panchayats Minister, M K Muneer.
Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) had submitted a report on the delayed disbursal of welfare pension which was discussed in the cabinet today, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said.
The sub-committee will go into the report and chalk out ways to ensure early disbursal, he said.
A sample verification was also carried out in post offices

and it was found that at least 43 per cent of the welfare pension had not being disbursed on time, Chandy said.

The chief minister said it was found that some people had to visit the post offices at least 10 times for their pension and some had even fainted.
The postal department officials had claimed there was no lapses following which the government decided to conduct a random checking in various districts and it was found that there were lapses.
"Finance and Additional Chief Secretary will discuss with the sub-committee and a decision taken at the next cabinet meeting," he said.

"An option will be given to the people on whether they want to get their pension through Money Order or through banks," he said.
The pension amounts had been given on time to the post offices and for months it had been delayed. Their attitude to the people was also not correct, he said, adding, the government viewed the matter very seriously.