Bhubaneswar: The state government has issued a set of COVID-19 guidelines to be followed by the district administrations while disbursing pensions and ex gratia to the beneficiaries under NSAP and MBPY.
In an official order issued by the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities department, the district social security officers (DSSOs) have been directed to disburse regular pension under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) in August along with ex gratia of Rs 1,000 per beneficiary to the Aadhaar verified pensioners in cash.
The DSSOs have been told to ensure that the disbursement team led by a responsible officer should prevent congregation of people. Each member of the team should be provided with disposable masks, hand sanitiser and gloves everyday. The beneficiaries should maintain a distance of 6 feet while waiting for their turn to receive the money.
The team members should prevent physical contact with the pensioners.
Any pensioner with visible symptoms of COVID-19 like running nose, cough and others should be paid his due at home. The team may take the help of ASHA and Anganwadi workers in this regard.
There should be arrangement of hand sanitiser at the place of disbursement and the beneficiaries should be told to clean their hands before receiving his entitlement.
Besides, the team should be provided thermal screening machines and other safety equipment in the areas worst affected by COVID-19 or containment zone, the direction stated.
It has also been emphasised that thumb impression and signature of the beneficiary may be dispensed with after receiving the amount. Digital photograph of the beneficiary may be taken at the time of disbursement and a certificate from the disbursement officer about the number of pensioners who received the dues may be obtained everyday.
