Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Minister Nityananda Gond on Tuesday assured beneficiaries that all pending old-age pension payments would be released once technical issues related to the government’s software upgrade are resolved.
Addressing the media, Gond said that some beneficiaries had not received their pensions due to technical glitches arising from the transition to a new software platform.
“Those who have not received their pensions need not worry. All pending dues will be credited to their accounts. The delay has occurred because the government is updating its software system. Once the technical issues are resolved, beneficiaries will receive all their pending pension amounts,” the minister said.
He urged pensioners to remain patient, adding that the government is working to address the issue at the earliest.
Meanwhile, the Opposition targeted the BJP-led government over the delay in pension disbursement, alleging administrative inefficiency and poor governance.
Senior BJD leader and Binjharpur MLA Pramila Mallik accused the government of failing to ensure the timely delivery of welfare benefits to elderly citizens.
“The government is facing technical issues in almost every department. Elderly people depend on these pensions for medicines and daily expenses. During our time (BJD government), a system was in place to ensure pensions were disbursed before the 15th of every month. Now, many beneficiaries have reportedly not received their pensions for nearly three months,” Mallik said.
She further alleged that the government had failed to fulfill its promises and was causing hardship to vulnerable sections of society.
