Mukesh Sharma

Kalimpong, January 18:

As per the announcement of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) executive chief, Bimal Gurung, the senior citizens of Kalimpong today received their first Old Age Pension of Rs 500/- each. Ashriti Rai (78) and Ran Bahadur Gurung (92) received the amount from the hands of 35 No constituency GTA sabhasad, Sunil Pradhan and 14 No constituency, ward councilor, Mridula Subba, respectively. The pensions were delivered at the elders’ residences. Further, Pradhan also delivered the pension to Durga Prasad Pokhrel (85) of Pokhrel Gaon and Savitri Nepal (90) of Lower Tari Gaon.

Ran Bahadur Gurung, one of the beneficiaries, expressing his gladness over receiving the pension said that this is happening for the first time in his life. He thanked the concerned for the amount.

The pension scheme which is named after Late Kaman Singh Ramu Damu will now be delivered monthly to the senior citizens, informed sabhasad Pradhan. The beneficiaries are being identified from the voters card and age. Those elders who do not receive any pension or do not have any source of income are entitled for the OAP.