Koraput: Even as both the Centre and state pump in crores of rupees through various schemes to bring people of disadvantaged sections under the purview of social security, they often don’t serve the purpose.
A case in point is Padma Kandapan (66), a widow of Odapur village of Paikaphulabeda panchayat under Dasamantapur block.
Her husband Dhanapati Kandapan had died about 10 years back in an accident but she is still running from pillar to post to get the widow pension for a survival.
Padma’s appeals to the panchayat and block officials have so far not yielded any result.
Left with no option, she finally approached the officials for a concrete house, instead of widow allowance, ahead of the rainy season as her shanty is in on the verge of collapse.
“I have been running from one office to another to get the widow allowance for the last 10 years, but in vain. I would be obliged if the administration grants me a house for my safety as my thatched house is in a miserable condition,” said Padma.
The villagers urged the district administration to consider Padma’s case and provide her the allowance and a dwelling unit under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna.
When contacted, panchayat executive officer Nageswar Patnaik said if she had really applied for the widow allowance the application would have been forwarded to the block office.
PNN
