MALDIVES: Over 12,000 senior citizens collected allowance this month, says NSPA

. MALE, Maldives / Miadhu News / May 5, 2009 Some 12256 senior citizens collected their monthly allowance provided by the government this month, Chairman of National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) Ibrahim Ali has revealed. Speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office on Monday, Ibrahim Ali expressed that distribution of the allowance for citizens above 65 years were not progressing smoothly due to many discrepancies in the forms submitted. He said application forms in atolls were not filled by special appointees, but the work was carried out temporary staffs that were duly paid. The forms were endorsed by respective island offices before they were sent to Male’. He said despite endorsements from island offices, out of the 14777 forms received some 1700 forms were disqualified for not being eligible. He said after taking charge of the Agency in April, he had travelled to some islands and found major issues. He pointed out 5 cases from one island where the person who earns the least amount also draws Rf. 2400 from the government retirement scheme on a monthly basis. He said the concerned island office had filled their forms incorrectly stating that the 5 people did not earn any money. He also highlighted some 647 people were to be omitted from the list of senior citizens eligible for the government provided monthly Rf.2000 as these people were already drawing more than Rf. 2000 on monthly basis from Finance Ministry. He also said the government would all necessary steps to ensure that it receive the funds drawn by providing false information. Copyright Miadhu News, 2009