Dear Editor,
Every single month at each post office in this country, from early dawn (‘foreday marnin’) one can witness long queues of senior persons/pensioners waiting in undignified fashion for their National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and old age pensions; ‘hungry belly’ in some cases.
During the rainy seasons this is an undignified act and an insult to the older folks of this country, as matters of this nature are dealt with in other countries in a more secure and dignified manner.
Perhaps better shelter conditions or payment into a bank account could be considered. Editor, in these times in which we are living, I think that older folks are vulnerable first to the inclement weather and secondly, even to unscrupulous persons who may rob them as they return home with their tiny pension tucked in their pocket or under their skirt.
We respectfully request of the authorities to consider other methods of securely paying old age pensions and National Insurance pensions at the end of each month ‒ maybe into a personal bank account.
If it rains one must stand in the rain. If the sun is too warm one must stay standing in the heat. I saw someone faint while waiting some time past. This is an undignified way to treat our senior folks after they have finished their summer days and now living in their winter days.
Why can’t we end this undignified process and pay pensions into a bank account in the year 2016?
The powers that be should give their best consideration to this vexed matter.
Yours faithfully,
Rooplall Dudhnath
