Pension eludes old and widows

Expressbuzz, Oct 5, 2009

BHAWANIPATNA: Among various social security measures launched by Central and State governments, old-age and widow pension schemes are much sought-after in the rural pockets of Kalahandi district due to prevailing poverty and insecurity among the old and the widows. However, there is big gap between demand and supply. Under Central and State schemes, 46,264 persons had been getting old-age and widow pensions in the district. Another 5000 persons became eligible to get the pension under Madhu Babu Pension Scheme launched by State Government in September, 2008.

Sources said after 2003-2004 no new case was entertained in the district under national and State schemes which do not include Madhu Babu Yojana. Enrolling new beneficiaries depends on additional sanction by Centre and State governments. In the absence of fresh sanction, many old persons and widows in interior rural pockets are deprived of pension.

Desperately trying to get the benefit, gullible villagers are often subjected to exploitation at the hands of unscrupulous elements.

At a woman empowerment meeting organised by NGO Janakalyan at Dhanrabhata village under Chancher gram panchayat of Bhawanipatna block here recently, some old widows said they have paid Rs 300 each to some touts to get their pension.

The meet was attended by women activists of eight villages under Chancher gram panchayats, including 30 old widows who are waiting anxiously to get pension. Sambari Majhi of Sikerguda village and Kala Majhi of Talpipili village alleged that in January and February last year they were called to the panchayat office and asked by the panchayat officials to pay money to one block official for documentation purposes. But they are yet to get pension, they said. Now it is not known whether the said person was a government employee or a tout but the old widows due to their ignorance were taken for a ride, said activist of Janakalyan Saroj Bag.

Source said during the period just prior to the election large numbers of applications for pension reached different blocks.

But these are gathering dust in the absence of additional sanction to the district. There were about 10,000 applications from Bhawanipatna block alone. According to an assessment by district social welfare department, the district needs sanction for at least 60,000 to 70,000 additional old-age and widow pensions to meet the demand.