Tezpur: A significant number of specially-abled individuals, under the banner of the North Assam Divyang Association, took to the streets of Tezpur on World Disability Day to voice their strong opposition to the merger of two pension schemes.
The protest march, which commenced from Joymati Pathar and culminated at Triveni Point, underscored the growing difficulties faced by the disabled community in the region.
The protesters alleged that the amalgamation of the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Divyang Pension Scheme with the Arunodoi Pension Scheme has resulted in the deprivation of essential financial support for over 6,000 specially-abled individuals in Sonitpur district for the past 18 months.
Mridul Bhuyan, General Secretary of the North Assam Divyang Association, emphasized the detrimental impact of the merger on the disabled population. The association has demanded the restoration of the original pension scheme and a substantial hike in the monthly pension to Rs 3,000.
To further amplify their demands, the protesters submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Deputy Commissioner’s office. In response, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kavita Kakati Konwar visited the protest site and assured the demonstrators that the concerns raised regarding the pension scheme merger would be thoroughly discussed and addressed in coordination with the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
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