Srinagar, June 23, 2023 (PPI-OT): The Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Association protested against the withholding of monthly pensions to physically challenged persons in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir for the past six months. Scores of the association members assembled at the Press Enclave in Srinagar and expressed their concerns by raising slogans against the Social Welfare Department and the administration, holding them accountable for the delay in pension disbursement. Abdul Rasheed, the President of the Association, led the protest and said the authorities are insensitive towards the needs of the physically challenged community. “Despite submitting all the required documents, the Social Welfare Department of the territory has failed to release the pension for handicapped persons for the last six months, citing verification issues,” he lamented.

He further highlighted the challenges faced by the community during the documentation process. “Initially, the authorities insisted on online document submission, which posed difficulties for us as we had to navigate from one office to another. Now, they claim some documents have issues, but if that is the case, why are they not releasing pensions to those with flawless documentation?” he said.

Rasheed criticised the authorities for withholding their meagre monthly income without considering the hardships faced by the community.” With Eid approaching, how can the physically challenged celebrate when their pensions are withheld? We urge the authorities to release the pension on humanitarian grounds,” he maintained.

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