Patnaik bats for pension disbursement in cash
7 Dec 2017 5:34 PM GMT
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday urged the Centre to release funds under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) without imposing any conditions.
The CM's missive to Prime Minister Narendra Modi came in the wake of a letter received by the state government from the Ministry of Rural Development over disbursement of pension, under the NSAP scheme, through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) platform.
"I firmly believe that disbursement of pension in cash in accordance with the convenience and choice of beneficiaries is in the best interest of the beneficiaries," Patnaik wrote to the PM.
The Direct Benefits Transfer platform aims to ensure that benefits go to individuals' bank accounts electronically, minimising tiers involved in fund flow and thereby reducing delay in payment.
The ministry's letter, issued in mid-November, had said the sanction of second installment of NSAP is conditional and the Patnaik government is required to detail the action plan for switching over to the DBT platform.
It also said that the state should work with the banks to implement the RBI instructions on doorstep delivery of banking services to senior citizens and differently abled persons.
Next Story
