Budget Announcements vs Reality
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU : Despite the commitment of the Social Welfare Department Minister on the floor of the House (State Legislature) during debate on annual grants of his Ministry on March 25, 2015 to provide old age/ widows pension at the rate of Rs 1000 per month, the beneficiaries are still getting pension at the old rates while the directives of the Minister to simplify entire pension procedure is yet to be fully implemented by the officers of the department.
Like most of the other departments, the Government’s commitment with regard to the improvement in the system, simplification of pension procedure for the benefit of the poor and old age/ handicapped persons and widows has not been honoured even after nine months while the next Assembly session is going to be held shortly. It has exposed the tall claims of the Government and also made the people feel that officers at the helm of affairs hardly take Government words seriously. The commitments remain in files and no body, even the `custodian’ of the House, bothers to make the Ministers accountable for their claims made in the August House.
Sources in the State Social Welfare Department told the Excelsior that during the debate on the grants of SWD on March 25 this year, the Minister in-charge Social Welfare, Bali Bhagat had claimed that widows/ old age persons who are getting pension at the rate of Rs 200 and Rs 400 per month would get pension at the rate of Rs 1000 per month. But even after the lapse of nine months, they are still getting pension at the old rates. There is no hike at all and these hapless and poor people of the society are feeling duped by the ruling dispensation.
Over one lakh fresh pension cases are pending in various districts across the State for the last more than one and a half year and they have not been cleared so far. The people are still undergoing the same ordeal while preparing documents for the pension. They have to make rounds of the Tehsil offices and `Thanas’ besides Hospitals or BMO offices to complete the formalities for getting pension. No TSWO or any staff member is personally moving to these offices especially in the rural or semi urban areas to prepare certificates of beneficiaries as announced by the Minister in the Legislature, the sources maintained.
Congress Legislator Party Leader in the House, Nawang Rigzin Jora (MLA) while taking serious note of the issue said that generally Ministers in order to avoid the wrath of the Members from opposition make commitments on the floor of the House out of enthusiasm. But practically such commitments are hardly fulfilled. “If they make any commitment, they must stand by that. By doing so they are misleading the House and its Members. Their act amounts to contempt of this August House. They should be made accountable and the Speaker, who is custodian of this House must take cognizance of the matter.
Replying to a question on SWD Minister, Bali Baghat’s commitment for providing Rs 1000 old-age/ widow pension to the beneficiaries of the J&K State, the Congress Legislator from Leh said, if the Government of India would not provide the said amount to the State, from where the Social Welfare Minister will give? He should not make commitment, if it is not going to be honoured. There is no need to mislead the House. There is no change in the procedure for getting widow/ old age/ handicapped pension. The hapless people even today have to take rounds of Police Stations to get death certificate, Medical Officer’s/ BMO offices for getting age certificate and in the office of Tehsildar and Patwaris for income certificate. No simplification in the procedure has been made so far. Mr Jora said that he would seek reply from the Minister concerned in the House during coming Budget Session. It is the responsibility of the Speaker to take cognizance of the matter as well. The opposition would definitely play its role, Jora maintained.
Former Minister, legislator and senior National Conference leader, Ajay Sadhotra, however, alleged that there is lot of difference between the words and deeds of the ‘coalition partners’. They are habitual of showing green pastures to the people. Even they mislead the House by making commitments which are never fulfilled. They take U-turn on many issues after coming to power. But dishonouring the commitments made in the Upper and Lower House of the Legislature is serious matter.
“There is Assurance Committee in both the Houses which has been formulated for the purpose, but whether such things are taken note or not the members of such committees or the Chairman of the Upper House or the Speaker of the Lower House must be knowing. We have not seen any cognizance taken by such committee in the recent past. Not to talk of hike in the pension in last nine months, even the Anganwadi Workers/ Helpers and routine staff like supervisors, clerks or even CDPOs are without pay for the last four to six months. More than one lakh pension cases are pending for the last one year and have not been cleared till today”, Sadhotra maintained.
Senior CPI (M) leader and MLA Mohd Yousuf Tarigami said generally Ministers in the Government do not honour the commitments made in the House. It has become precedence for the last several years. It amounts to breach privilege and lowering down the credibility of this Institution of democracy.
“Nobody in the House points out and it has become an easy escape for the Ministers. There are two Assurance Committees in the Legislature and their role also comes under scanner. It is unfortunate that without realizing any sense of responsibility, some members are in habit of making false commitments on the floor of the House, thus lowering down the credibility of the Government and shattering faith of the people on this August Institution of democracy. I will definitely rake up the issue strongly in the coming Assembly session,” Tarigami said.
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