Dasmantpur: Although both the state and Central governments have been implementing various schemes for the poor and elderly, it is the apathy of the officials that scores of elderly persons residing in Dasmantpur block in Koraput remain deprived of the old-age pension.
Factors like unavailability of voter identity card, Aadhar Card and incomplete paper works are responsible for their plight.
Locals alleged that the process of preparing the voters’ list was done only on pen and paper as a result of which those eligible to exercise their franchise were deprived of their rights.
The delay in enrolling the names of senior citizens in the list of persons eligible for old-age pension shows the officials’ disregard for government orders, residents said.
A case in point is of the 67-year-old Madhu’s. Madhu and his wife Raila of Dasmantpur in the district are yet to get the old-age pension which they should get under the state government scheme. The couple has no kids and they are also suffering from old-age related ailments and are forced to lead a miserable life. The couple had narrated their grievances before the district Collector many times but to no avail.
Another elderly woman Suki, a resident of the block for the last 30 years, earns her livelihood by selling dried fish. Following her old-age issues, she had shifted to an old-age home in the block. Though she had included her name in the voter-Id card, the officials denied issuing the old-age pension card to her as she has no Aadhar Card.
Other villagers also said that they on Kuni’s behalf have also appealed to the government to provide her with the old-age pension.
When asked, an official of Dasmantpur block office said, “The applications of the elderly persons have already been submitted to the block office. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been delayed. Once approved, they will start getting their pension regularly.”
During this pandemic the elderly persons require the pension the most as they need money for various health-related issues, locals said.
On the other hand, the state government March 24, 2020 has declared to provide old-age pensions to 48 lakh beneficiaries of Odisha at their doorsteps, however, the plight of the elderly persons in Dasmantpur block tells something different.
PNN