Nongpoh, Meghalaya, March 27 (HBTV): A physically challenged young individual from Ri Bhoi district has urged the MDA-II government of Meghalaya to revise and increase the pension for persons with disabilities and for senior citizens.

Pering Pale, a resident of Umpowin village in Ri Bhoi district, has raised his voice to advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities and the elderly. He drew attention to the urgent need to enhance the monthly pension schemes provided by the government.

Speaking to the media, Pering Pale expressed deep concern over the hardships faced by people with disabilities, and senior citizens, particularly due to the meager monthly pension scheme of only INR 750, which makes survival difficult despite being a government aid.

Pale said he has been receiving the INR 750 monthly aid for the past 25 years. He expressed discouragement that the government has yet to revise this amount. At the same time, he noted, the government continues to allocate substantial funds for festivals and celebrations while neglecting those who genuinely require financial assistance.

Pale said he had previously met with the Social Welfare minister to discuss the struggles faced by persons with disabilities and senior citizens. However, despite these discussions, no action has been taken to increase the pension schemes for persons with disabilities as well as senior citizens.

As a concerned citizen and an advocate for the welfare of the disabled and elderly, he has now made a heartfelt appeal to Meghalaya’s Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, and to the government ministers and MLAs, urging them to address this issue. He said that increasing the special aid from the government would provide significant relief to those in need, enabling them to sustain themselves with dignity.