Denied pension, 3 blind siblings at mercy of locals

Parvesh Sharma
Tribune News Service
Sangrur, September 18

Three visually impaired siblings of Nadampur village are living at the mercy of the area residents for the past two years after the state government stopped their pension. Reason: The trio failed to produce their disability certificates.

After struggling for one and half years, they finally got their certificates ready but are now unable to get Aadhaar cards prepared as machines have failed to take their thumb and finger impressions.

“Gurdai Singh (48), Gian Singh (50) and Karnail Kaur (53) have lost their vision completely. The trio was receiving their disability pension but in October 2017, the government stopped it without citing any reason. Since then our society members along with the locals have been pooling money to help them and trying to restore their pension,” said Guninderjit Singh Jawandha, chairman, Japhar Welfare Society.

Jawandha said after the government stopped their pension, they met village panchayat members for certificates many times and even went to the primary health centre. “Later, with the help of locals, they kept shuttling between various government departments in Bhawanigarh and Sangrur for the issuance of the certificate.”

The siblings stay in a single room of their small house while distant relative Satnam Singh and his wife Jaspal Kaur have been taking care of them.

“After the authorities stopped our pension, we approached the authorities concerned with the help of villagers. However, no one helped us. If we were ineligible without medical certificates and Aadhaar cards, why the government started our pension? The area residents are helping us, but for how long will they be able to do so,” said Gian Singh.

Balwinder Singh, a neighbour, said after they got their disability certificates prepared, the authorities were demanding Aadhaar cards. “Despite their efforts, machines have failed to detect their finger and thumb impressions, thus delaying the issuance of cards.”