NALBARI, July 12 - The smooth functioning of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), a Central government scheme, has been disrupted in Nalbari district, and a total of 2,469 beneficiaries have been deprived of their monthly pension since April 2017, official sources said.
It has been alleged that the customer service providers (CSP) engaged by various banks, including Assam Gramin Vikash Bank (AGVB), have been delaying work under the public fund management system (PFMS). The CSPs allegedly demand money from customers and delay the work of people who refuse to pay.
The NSAP includes four schemes � Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension, Indira Gandhi National Disabled Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme and the National Family Benefit Scheme.
According to official sources, a total of 2,469 beneficiaries have been deprived of their monthly pension due to issues related to the PFMS since April 2017.
Till March 2017, the Nalbari Zila Parishad manually cleared the old age pension. However, the system changed and now the office of the Commissioner of Panchayat and Rural Development transfers the amount through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
A total of 32,759 beneficiaries of Nalbari district have been receiving old age pension regularly.
On the other hand, 824 beneficiaries of No. 46 Pub Nambarbhag gaon panchayat, have also been deprived of their pension as the registration of beneficiaries in PFMS was delayed due to the alleged negligence of Panchayat secretary Sarat Barman, who is now under arrest.
However, official sources said that the registration of all the deprived 824 beneficiaries has been completed and they will get their pension arrears soon.
Besides, a total of 718 disabled people in Nalbari district are getting Rs 300 per month as pension.
In case of widow pension, the Nalbari Zila Parishad has been providing Rs 300 per month to 3,144 beneficiaries between the ages of 39 and 79.
Talking to this correspondent, Nalbari Zila Parishad Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Krishna Baruah said she has been communicating with the banks to speed up their systems so as to regularise the old age pension schemes.
