Old age pension, widow pension and pension for differently-abled persons are not reaching scores of eligible people in various parts of Subarnapur district because of the indifference of officials and people’s representatives.
District Collector Dasirathi Satpathy, who has been hearing people’s grievances at every block at regular interval and directing officials to redress the problems hasn’t worked much, sources said. As a result, dozens of elderly persons at Rugdipali village in Mayurudan Panchayat under Sonepur sadar block are currently being deprived of pension benefits.
As per sources, Surjeet Das(70), Balaram Bagh(60), Biranchi Mallik, Nata Barik(63), Jasoda Barik(62), Baneswari Behera(67), Bhumisuta Senapati (65), Abdhuta Sanyasi(67), Nira Sanyasi(65), Guru Karna(62), Puran Karna(65) and Ahallya Das(63) have not been enrolled for the pension scheme, despite having eligibility. Besides, two widows Urmila Naik and Bui Das are out of the social security net. The widows alleged that though they have been frequenting panchayats for pension and already have enrolled their name in Panchayat office, but nothing had happened till date. They said, those who pay bribe get pension.
The condition of these people is pathetic as they eke out their living with daily wages. It was alleged that Sarpanch, Ward Members and Panchayat Executive Officer have not paid heed to the plight of the widows though they had applied for pension since a year. Meanwhile, the Gram Swaraj Vikash Samiti, a social organization fighting for the cause of differently-able persons, has decided to take up their issue with the BDO and the Collector. locals demand that the administration take immediate steps in the matter.