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Frustration mounts as ‘Aswesuma’ beneficiaries endure long queues
View(s):By Dilushi Wijesinghe
Prolonged queues have become a symbol of growing frustration for beneficiaries of the ‘Aswesuma’ benefit scheme, as their wait to access much-needed financial assistance continues.
In the past few months Sri Lanka witnessed beneficiaries waiting in lengthy queues to submit necessary documents and receive QR codes for the ‘Aswesuma’ scheme Divisional Secretariats and now the queues have been outside state banks to have bank accounts opened inorder to receive those installments.
Many beneficiaries voiced their displeasure waiting in line for days while having to make repeated journeys back and forth to open bank accounts which were made accessible on August 1, owing to a limited numbering system.
The Sunday Times learned that nearly 500, 000 bank accounts have been verified, and the Welfare Benefits Board has received information of a total of 1.79 million bank accounts.
Meanwhile a Cabinet decision was made earlier this week to the effect that 393 094 beneficiaries who were ineligible to receive the ‘Aswesuma’ benefit would receive a Samurdhi allowance until the evaluation process of appeals and objections were concluded.
The 84,374 beneficiaries who appealed for an upgrade of category will receive installments under the category they currently belong to. Moreover, 119 056 beneficiaries who had complaints against themselves will continue to receive the installment until evaluations conclude.
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- Beneficiaries have to stand in line for days.Pix by Eshan Fernando.
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- The QR code is similar to an Identity Card
According to the scheme select beneficiaries are set to receive Rs. 15, 000, Rs. 8 500, and Rs. 5 000 from the four selected state banks namely, the Regional Development Bank (RDB), National Savings Bank (NSB), Bank of Ceylon (BOC) and People’s Bank.
According to officials 776, 327 new bank accounts have been opened so far.
The relevant QR code is parallel to an Identity Card as it carries information regarding beneficiaries such as their verification status, eligibility, the category they belong to and so on.
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