Bhubaneswar: Expressing concern over the death of an 80-year old woman in Jaripada village under Patia GP of Nayagarh block, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra Saturday demanded an apology from the government to the people of the state.
Raising the issue in the floor of house, Mishra said the old woman trudged 7 km distance to Nayagarh to collect her old age pension of Rs 300. But the BDO cancelled the pension distribution programme and the woman died without collecting her pension at the panchayat office October 15.
He urged the Speaker to direct the minister concerned to make a statement in the house on what action the government proposed to take to prevent such incidents in future.
Stating that the pension which is being given at the rate of Rs 300 per month is too inadequate, Mishra demanded enhancement of the pension from Rs 300 to at least Rs 1,000 per month.
Expressing concern over the incident, BJP legislature party leader KV Singh Deo demanded action against the officials responsible for this incident.
Joining Opposition members, ruling BJD member Maheswar Sahu demanded the government take exemplary action against the BDO and the panchayat secretary for the death of the old woman.
PNN