Imphal: Two tribal organizations have formally requested that the Manipur Social Welfare Department grant a 30-day extension for the Manipur Old Age Pension Scheme application process. The Development for Hills and the Federation of All Tribal Youth Clubs, Manipur, submitted separate representations to the Director of Social Welfare to address the obstacles preventing senior citizens from meeting the current June 10 cutoff.
The organizations noted that while the official notification was dated May 30, it did not reach the public until June 1. This left applicants with only nine days to gather materials and submit their forms. Representatives highlighted that the ongoing regional conflict makes travel to district offices dangerous for many elderly residents. Furthermore, the reliance on an online portal poses significant hurdles for rural populations due to limited internet connectivity and a lack of digital literacy.
The advocacy groups argued that the current timeline is inequitable when compared to other government initiatives. They stated that the short window is unfair when compared to disability-related welfare schemes, where beneficiaries are reportedly given much longer notice periods. By calling for this extension, the groups hope to ensure that deserving senior citizens are not excluded from the pension scheme because of administrative delays or logistical difficulties beyond their control.
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