Around Rs 240mln released under SSA scheme in Tanahun

DAMAULI: As many as 8,908 senior citizens above 70 years of age received the social security allowance (SSA)/old age allowance in Tanahun last fiscal year.

Senior citizens who are not pensioners are given Rs 2,000 monthly by the government under the social security allowance.

In the district, around Rs 240 million was released under the social security allowance in that period.

This scheme includes allowances under different categories and single woman (widow), fully disabled, Dalits from the extremely poor family and people above 70 years of age, among others are entitled to receive the amount.

Those receiving the allowance last fiscal in the district were 343 completely disabled, 6,708 single women (widows), 2,811 Dalits from the extremely poor families and 11,670 people above 70, District Coordination Committee Registration Section's staff Yek Bahadur Rana said.

Senior citizens have complained that the distribution of allowance through the banking system has caused inconvenience for them to draw it as their fragile health doesn’t always permit them to visit bank. The assistance amount has been the support in their livelihood, however, they said.