More pensioners able to collect booklets
Pension set at $1814 per month
Stabroek News
January 15, 2003
More pensioners were able to pick up pension books yesterday meaning they will soon be able to collect their monthly stipend of $1814.
Yesterday's exercise saw pensioners from the East Coast, West Coast, Berbice, Linden and Essequibo receive their books and unlike Monday when a large number of persons were turned away, most who turned up at centres around Georgetown and on the East Coast were able to uplift their booklets.
No one from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security was available for a comment as was the case on Monday.
Last year pensioners received $1728 per month. The increase reflects the 5% hike in public servants' salaries. Checks around the city at a number of the centres showed only a handful of pensioners waiting. The social workers indicated that many persons visited the centres early in the morning and were attended to promptly. Each of the centres reported that over 60 pensioners were able to uplift their booklets yesterday, a big increase from the day before. But late in the afternoon a few of the centres were still open with a few persons waiting.
The distribution exercise is expected to last for two months. Under this system which was introduced by Social Security Minister Bibi Shadick last year, pensioners are required to appear in person for their books.
In previous years relatives were allowed to uplift books for their family members which many believe was responsible for some of the fraudulent practices in the old system. For those persons who are shut-ins, the social workers would visit them at home.
The Government Information Agency yesterday said that distribution of booklets will be done on January 18-19 on the Essequibo Island of Wakenaam.
