Disabled denied pension due to North corporation’s ‘erroneous’ notice

In all government institutions across the country,40 per cent disability is the norm for defining “handicapped” under any policy. However,according an NMC circular issued on December 17,2012,with regard to Old Age Stipend,the list of beneficiaries includes those disabled (deaf,dumb,physically handicapped having infirmity of permanent nature) “50 per cent or more”.

“Old Delhi has a large number of people who are permanently disabled,and the pension has been the only source of money for many of them. These people,whose applications have suddenly been rejected after all these years,do not know where to go now,” Saleem Hasan,a social worker,said .

Till last year,MCD paid the monthly pension on a quarterly basis. However,after the trifurcation of the civic body last year,no pensions were paid the whole year.

Mahendra Nagpal,Leader of the House,North corporation,said the former chief of the Community Services department had issued the circular stating that the percentage of disability be increased to 50 per cent from the existing 40 per cent.

“But when the councillors discovered this,the circular was withdrawn. The House has unanimously approved of the percentage of disability to remain 40 per cent and we are now disbursing pensions and stipends as per the earlier policy,” Nagpal said.

South corporation elections today,BJP likely to win

New Delhi: With support from a JD(U) leader,independent councillors and other political parties,the Bharatiya Janata Party seems likely to bag the posts of the South Municipal Corporation Mayor and Standing Committee Chairperson this year. Elections for the South corporation are scheduled to be held on Tuesday.

Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel,on Monday,visited the Civic Centre and spent hours discussing the poll strategy with party leaders. Congress leaders too held meetings at Delhi Pradesh Congress office till late in the evening.

Presently,BJP has 44 seats in the South corporation,whereas Congress has 29. While independents have 14 seats,NCP has six and BSP has five. JD(U),RLD and SP hold one seat each in the corporation. INLD holds three seats.

Corporation also has four MP votes,held by Sandeep Dikshit,Ajay Maken,Mahabal Mishra and Ramesh Kumar from the Lok Sabha,and Parvez Hashmi from Rajya Sabha. There are five MLA votes as well,three of which are held by the Congress and two by the BJP.

The party hopes to gain one more seat in Standing Committee. Currently,of the 10 seats in the Standing Committee,Opposition BJP has three. Party sources said the Congress seems to have failed to garner enough support to win those seats.