POET ‘DECLARED DEAD,’ SISODIA ORDERS PROBE

The Delhi government is looking into a case of an eminent Urdu poet being allegedly declared dead by the city’s social welfare department in 2013, thereby depriving him of his pension benefits.

Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Sunday directed social welfare minister Rajendra Pal Gautam to visit 80-year-old poet Asrar Jamayee’s residence and correct the blunder.

Reacting to a report on the issue in a web portal, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia tweeted : “Have asked Rajendr Gautam ji, Minister Social Welfare & Urdu Academy, to meet Asrar Sahib and do all the needful within 48 hours.”

When contacted, Mr Rajender Gautam said the facts of the case were being looked and he would visit the poet’s residence on Monday.

Mr Gautam said he can cannot immediately confirm if the facts stated were true but has directed the concerned officials to urgently take necessary action.

“At times, names are struck off from lists of beneficiaries if people don’t submit living certificates, which is to be done annually,” the state minister added