The State government has stopped sanctioning beneficiary-oriented schemes, including Bhagyalakshmi insurance scheme, following imposition of the model code of conduct for the Assembly elections in the State.
The Revenue department has recently directed the district administrations not to accept applications seeking Social Security Pensions (SSPs), including old age pension, destitute widow pension, disability pension and Sandhya Suraksha Yojane.
The Women and Child Development department is accepting applications under Bhaghyalakshmi scheme, but the insurance bonds are not being issued to the beneficiaries, official sources said.
Beneficiary-oriented schemes have been stopped as there are chances of misusing them, by the candidates in the fray to woo voters, officials said.
Confusion
However, officials at nadakacheries and taluk offices complained that there is a lot of confusion on whether to accept applications. The department circular in this regard lacks clarity. As a result, many nadakacheries and taluk offices are still accepting applications from people.
The officials are unaware as to what to do with applications that have been already accepted and whether it is okay to process and sanction the scheme for applications received before the model code of conduct coming into effect, sources said.
The SSPs have been brought under Sakaala, the Right to Services Act. Once applications are accepted under Sakaala, they have to be processed in the stipulated time. Otherwise, the designated officers concerned can be penalised for the lapse.
Ration cards
However, there is no restriction on issuing new ration cards. People can submit online applications seeking new ration cards on the Food and Civil Supplies department’s website, officials said.
