Junagarh: Even though the Centre and the state have launched welfare schemes for commoners many have not got their benefits, and are facing hardship.
An 88-year-old man here, living a life of hardship without old age pension despite applying for it five times is a case in point. Narasingh Mishra, who hails from Antarla in Habaspur panchayat under this block in Kalahandi district, has been deprived of pension even at the ripe old age due to the alleged negligence of the panchayat officials.
Mishra has been running from pillar to post to get his application for old age pension sanctioned, but to no avail. He has applied for pension five times at the panchayat office.
Mishra said that he cannot understand why he is not being given pension when persons younger than him are getting the benefit. He has given up hopes of getting pension after his applications were not cleared by the panchayat officials. He is now clueless and has pinned hopes on the Almighty.
According to government norms, persons above 60 are entitled to Rs 300 monthly pension and persons over 80 are entitled to Rs 500 monthly pension.
Mishra’s case has come to fore at a time when the Centre and the state are spending crores on the Indira Gandhi Pension Yojana and Madhu Babu Pension Yojana to provide relief to poor seniors, and directing the administration to ensure that no beneficiary is left out of the scheme.
Block social security officer (in-charge) Sumant Majhi said soon Mishra’s application will be approved.
PNN