LAMKA, June 24: The second phase distribution of the Indira Gandhi Old Age pension Scheme was held today at the District Social Welfare office, Churachandpur at Chengkonpang.
The pension distribution function was conducted by the SDO, CCPur Thienlaljoy Gangte amid a chaotic crowd of pensioners.
A police team led by Ccpur OC Inspector N Thangzamuan and Ccpur women police station OC sub inspector Sandy Tonsing managed to control the crowd and averted a stampede like situation.
However, before the arrival of the police team, there was only chaos as more than 3000 pensioners rushing in to stand ahead in line inside the DSWO office. Old and firm people holding Red and Blue cards had started arriving at the campus since 7am although the distribution of pension started only from 10 am.
It was sheer luck and chance that no casualty was reported in the tussle among the pensioners. With only three policemen on duty in the early hours, the media persons who had come to cover the event had to step in and help the weaker pensioners from getting crushed and restore normalcy.
With all the jostling among the pensioners, some falling from the corridor, some pushed against the wall, many could have been choked to death considering the fact that many of the pensioners were quite old and in fragile health.
A woman who had arrived from a faraway village who was found helping herself using her card to fan herself said she was more than 70 years old and had been standing in queue since 7:30 am.
She complained the much stronger card holders have all forced themselves in the line ahead with brute force.
She said little strength was left in her and she could not hold any longer as she had came without having lunch.
Many of the pensioners also complained that a little more spacious venue could have been selected and pensions distributed serial wise which could have been flashed through the local media.
Proper sitting and resting places could have also been arranged, they complained.
Interestingly, there are also allegations that being old is no guarantee to get the old age pension amount and one needs political patronage to get listed for the pension scheme.
Meanwhile, a local social worker John neihsial asked as why the department forced the Old people to open bank accounts if they were going to distribute the pension in cash.
He continued the DSWO could have taken help of local organisations so that there were more man-power to accelerate the process.
The DSWO and the SDO however asserted that it was a direct order from the director to deliver the pension amount in cash.
There are altogether 6187 Red card holders in Ccpur who are between the age of 60-79 years and 386 Blue card holders who are aged 80 years and above.