Taking suo-motu cognisance of a news item published in a local daily that six senior citizens, including two women, aged between 68 and 85 in Bhapur block of Nayagarh district have been deprived of the old age pension despite their repeated pleas, the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on Monday sought a report from the district Collector in this regard within four weeks.
Besides, the State rights panel also directed the Chief Secretary and the Commissioner-cum-Secretary Panchyati Raj Department to look into the matter and take appropriate remedial action in the non-implementation of the different welfare schemes including the old age pension with special reference to the case of six senior citizens.
The six in question are Bimbadhar Naik (85) of Marada village under Baunsabati panchayat, Jogindra Naik (78) and his wife Sashi Naik (70) and Rama Chandra Bai (75) and his wife labanya Bai (68) and Dhruba Charan Bai (68) of Ragadipada under Sasan panchayat. According to reports, they have not been provided old age pension.
Observing that the Nayagarh Collector also cannot shy away from his responsibility in overseeing the implementation of the different schemes which are implemented by the Government including the old age pension scheme, acting Chairperson of OHRC Justice Bira Kishore Mishra directed the Collector to immediately inquire into the matter and furnish a report to the commission within four weeks hence. The case has been fixed for hearing on December 23.
Justice Mishra took a strong view on the district administration’s apathy. “The commission cannot be a mute spectator to the plights of the old and infirm persons of the society, who have been deprived of the benefits of different beneficial schemes implemented by the Government to provide succour to the persons who need care and protection,” Justice Mishra observed.