Enhance Amount of Social Welfare Pensions of Citizens: RTI Activist

 Jammu, 30/Jan/2023: RTI Activist Raman Sharma, hailing from Jammu have urged the union finance minister Nirmala  Sitharaman to enhance the amount of  monthly social welfare pensions of the citizens which is given to senior citizens, widows, orphans, physically disables and other kind of vulnerable sections of the society. In his appeal, Sharma said given the present inflation rate, the amount given to the citizens under social pension schemes is too meager and it should be rationalize in comparison to present inflation rate.

He also demanded that union government should also  sanction and approve inclusion of more people under social welfare pension schemes because at present the applications for inclusion of beneficiaries  remain pending with the social welfare department with months and years for approval because of limited funds as released by the union government. In his appeal , the RTI activist also requested for ensuring minimum wages paid to the daily rated workers and provision of life insurance for each skilled and unskilled labour.

He also said the students belonging to economic weaker sections studying in government and private schools should also be provided free books, uniform and fee waiver/discount  and the  specific provision should be made in the budget to stop exploitation of poor people.