Government fast-tracks 'Aasra Pension' process

Rajendranagar: Swiftly responding to a report 'Specially challenged youth still waiting for Aasra' published on December 3 (on the occasion of International Day of Disabled Persons) in The Hans India, the officials jumped into action.

The report highlighted the plight of Imtiaz, a physically challenged boy deprived of Aasra pension. This prompted authorities of DRDA (District Rural Development Agency) Rangareddy district to make special arrangements on Friday for his medical assessment at Government Hospital Kondapur.

It is said that, upon receiving the instruction from Secretary to government (Rural Development) Sandeep Kumar Sultania, the Rangareddy District Collector Amay Kumar took up the matter and asked the subordinates to resolve the issue on priority and report.

Later, the DRDA officials contacted the family of Imtiaz and asked them to come to Government Hospital Kondapur next day with the required documents like Aadhaar card and photographs assuring them that the case will be considered on priority basis.

"We have made special arrangements for the medical assessment of Imtiaz today and completed the process on priority basis. A team of doctors examined the boy and issued certificates that would ensure him the Aasra pension from this month onwards. There were some errors left in the certification, so we have sorted it out today. Imtiaz will get his pension soon as the certification process has been completed," informed K Jangareddy, Additional Director DRDA Rangareddy to The Hans India.

A medical team, consisting of Superintendent Government Hospital Kondapur Dr Dasharath, Dr Kranthi, Dr Uma Shanker and Dr Krishna RMO conducted the assessment and concluded the report the same day.

The officials even provided a rice bag to Imtiaz as a humanitarian gesture. The officials even thanked The Hans India for bringing a genuine case into their notice.