Probe against postmen for demanding ‘commission’

TIMES OF INDIA, CHENNAI EDITION, 18/07/09, PAGE NO.2.

Probe against postmen for demanding ‘commission’

Julie Mariappan | TNN

Chennai: The postal department, following a surprise check on Wednesday, has initiated disciplinary action against two postmen for ‘demanding commission’ from pensioners near K K Nagar. The postmen were disbursing Rs 400 to the beneficiaries.
Acting on a tip-off, the postal deparment deputed two assistant superintendents to conduct the check at Pulithevan Street in MGR Nagar. The postmen, delivering pension to at least 15 persons, had demanded Rs 20 from each.
Under the Indira Gandhi National old-age pension scheme, people above 65 years of age and those below the poverty line are eligible for a pension of Rs 200 from the Centre. The state government gives another Rs 200 to the eligible beneficiaries. This amount is delivered by postmen.
“We will take action against the offenders.The sum involved is low but the staff will face punishment as per conduct rules,” said a postal officer.
Postmen demanding and taking ‘commission’ from pensioners is common these days, said social activists. “They collect it openly. At times, near post offices,” said V Gopalakrishnan of FACT-India, a nongovernment organisation.
Pension to at least 18 lakh senior citizens, physically handicapped, widows, agricultural labourers, destitute/deserted wives, and unmarried, incapacitated poor women of 50 years and above is disbursed through special tahsildars in each district. “We have been receiving complaints about postmen. The department is considering electronic clearance system for pension disbursal,” social welfare minister P Geetha Jeevan told TOI.