Delay in disbursement of monthly pension to elders criticised

: The opposition Congress has flayed the Puducherry government for delay in disbursement of the monthly assistance under old age pension scheme to elderly persons through their banks.
Spokesman of Puducherry Pradesh Congress Committee A V Veeraraghavan in a release here today said that normally the monthly pension is available through bank accounts of the beneficiaries on the seventh day of the month.
But now the amount was yet to be credited for the current month in the accounts.
He said some banks had turned away beneficiaries when they approached for payment, saying the pension would be available only after the elections were concluded.

"What is the connection between disbursement of pension which is an ongoing scheme and the Assembly polls?" he asked and wanted government to disburse the amount immediately.
The beneficiaries from poor families were dependent on the payment and hence any delay in disbursement was dislocating their normal life, he said.