THE distribution of Old Age Pension books has started and from all indications is proceeding well.
High commendations are in order for the minister and staff of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security for the efficient manner in which the exercise is proceeding. Of special note is the fact that the distribution has started early and this is an indication that the ministry is planning and organising ahead.
The ministry has also made it much easier for pensioners to uplift their books by expanding the number of distribution centres significantly, thereby saving them the hassle and money involved in travelling long distances.
“There are more locations across the country this year. We have tried, as far as we can to go as close to the home of a pensioner as possible, which means we have more breakout groups across the country”, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Ms. Priya Manickchand noted.
She visited several locations where the process was being executed and engaged some pensioners in discussions about the quality of service compared to last year and what can be done to improve in 2011.
The places she visited included the Night Shelter in East La Penitence, the Alexander Village Masjid and the Holy Rosary Church, Kitty, all in Georgetown.
According to her, the ministry has taken into consideration suggestions from the pensioners themselves, about improving the system and enhancing it.
“We have put some of these measures in place. We are trying to ensure that those benefitting do not have a hard time”, she stated.
Ms. Manickchand assured that there will be a constant effort to better the service and it extends to shut-ins, who cannot go to the different locations and to whom her officers will be taking the books.
The minister is certainly adopting an enlightened and hands on approach to a very important issue because senior citizens deserve the best possible attention, having given yeoman service and made tremendous sacrifices to improve the welfare of their families and to advance the developmental process of their country.
It is clear that the intention of the minister is to iron out any kinks that may be affecting the distribution system and continuously improve and upgrade it. And what better way could be found than to meet and consult those who the system are designed to serve?
It is heartening that the days are gone when, in order to get an old age pension, one had to satisfy the requirements of a means test; when pensioners were not certain when they would receive their pension books and when they did receive their books and turned up to cash their vouchers at post offices were told there was no money.
The present government has been paying increasing focus on the social sector which has resulted in its significant improvement.
While it would be contended that pensions are still small it must be appreciated that the government has been steadily increasing it from the extremely low level of the pre-1992 period.
And there is no doubt that as resources become more available pensions would be further increased.