Following Minister’s assurance ACW SWD beneficiaries calls off hunger strike

Hope for early redress of their demands

UDHAMPUR, SEPTEMBER 05: After assurance by Minister for Public Works Department, Naeem Akhtar, the Action Committee for Welfare of SWD beneficiaries called off their indefinite hunger strike in favour of their long pending demands regarding pension related issues.

The Minister issued on spot directions to Deputy Commissioner Udhampur to look into the issue and ensure early redressal of the same. He said that these people are poor by destiny and it becomes our prime and moral responsibility to take care of their needs and requirements and help them selflessly which is real service to Almighty.

Prominent Social Activist and DAHWA Chairperson, S S Sumbria, under whose supervision the hunger strike was being conducted, submitted a memorandum of their demands to the Minister. He earnestly urged upon the Minister to make personal intervention in sorting out these issues of poor and under privileged segments of the society who have to suffer hardships just for the lackadaisical approach of few officials. He informed the Minister that there is strong resentment among the people over the apathetic attitude of the department towards the issues of poor handicapped, destitute, old aged and widows who are facing hardships for no fault of their.

People from several villages including Channi Mansar, Majalta, Badi Garh, SK Bair, Dhamma, Nili, Bharnara, Paletar, Palnoo, Babey, Chor Panjian, Chor Motu, Ghar Samnabanj, Kail and adjoining areas were present on the occasion.

The demands inter alia included early release of pending pension arears in the backdrop of pension enhancement to Rs. 1000, sanctioned of pension cases lying pending since March 2009, constitution of a committee to look into the irregularities in BPL lists, equal share to people of Majalta in implementation of various government schemes and distribution of artificial limbs, scooties and try cycles for handicapped beneficiaries, prioritization of pension sanction to deserving who are above 70 years old, in case of death of a beneficiary pension should be given to poor and needy of the area, survey and coverage of deserving under marriage assistance scheme etc.

The committee was hopeful that with the intervention of Minister the administration would give an ear to these genuine issues and they would get respite.

MLA R S Pathania, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur and senior officers were present on the occasion.

The beneficiaries who were on hunger strike were Kali Devi, Chainta Devi, Pushpa Devi, Dhani Ram and M L Gosain supported by Om Parkash, P.C.Basotra, Balram Singh, Bharat Bhushan, Shallo Ram and hundreds of pensioners.