A BPl family with two physically-challenged persons threatened the Bhadrak Collector to stage fast unto death if the State Government doesn’t include them in social welfare schemes.It was informed by human rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy who met the Collector on Wednesday.
One and a half years ago, Tripathy said, the Women and Child Development Department had inquired about the plight of the family of Kunjaban Panda from Matagajpur village of Talagopbindha gram panchayat under Tihidi block in the district. The inquiry officials had admitted that the family lives in a deplorable condition, he added.The activist said Panda’s physically challenged daughter, Minati, who had scored good marks in HSC exam, failed to continue her study due to abject poverty. Surprisingly, she has not yet been provided with handicapped pension even as the same was brought to the notice of the concerned officials, he informed.
Panda’s minor son left studies permanently to work outside the State. Panda, who broke his backbone while working as daily labourer, failed to feed his family. If tested medically, Tripathy said, he could get a handicapped certificate as he is mentally disturbed and physically challenged.Even if the entire family lives in a dingy thatched house, the activist alleged, the corrupt practice denies him a house under the Indira Awas Yojana or the Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana. “Can the State overlook and ignore the plight of the family membersIJ The answer is no,” said Tripathy.The activist requested the Collector to ensure a medical test of Panda and issue a handicapped certificate to him, a house under the IAY or the Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana, handicapped pension and benefits under the other social welfare schemes.Notably, The Pioneer had first brought the plight of the family to the public notice on April 26, 2013.