When a massive spending went into the recently-held twin elections in Odisha, proving that the candidates in fray are rich, a poverty-struck widow and her handicapped son are reportedly struggling hard for survival. The widow has been running from pillar to post to get pension for last ten years.
Sources said Rajani Kisan (48), a resident of Turamura village of Narendra Panchyat of Gurundia block in Sundargarh district, had lost her husband ten years ago. Rajani's only son Nabin Kishan (17) is physically handicapped since his birth and is dependent on his mother.Rajani has also a ten-year-old daughter. Rajani is extremely poor and does not have BPl card. Rajani, his handicapped son and her daughter have been begging for their livelihood.
Sadly, the poor widow is yet to get her pension and similarly, her son Nabin is yet to get his handicap pension. Both mother and son have been running to Panchayat, Block and Sub-Collector offices for their pension for the last ten years, but without avail. "I and my handicapped son Nabin are yet to get our pension. We have been approaching different offices for our pension over last ten years but in vain. We do not know how we will survive." said Rajani.
looking into Rajani and her family's penury and plight, locals demanded that the family be included under the Government entitlements of BPl card, a house under the Indira Awas Yoajana and pension. "I was unaware of the pension case. I will definitely look into the matter," assured Gurundia BDO S Nayak.