Nuapada: Two physically-challenged minors in the district have recounted their ordeal in the wake of the Centre’s demonetization.
The two tribals who do not have bank accouns have been facing difficulties due to note ban and lack of access to banking facilities in their locality. The physically challenged persons have been deprived of pension too after the government made it mandatory for everyone to open bank accounts and take part in cashless transactions.
Dola Sahis (12) was born visually challenged from birth. After the death of his father Jaylal Sahis, locals urged the civic authorities and helped provide pension to his widowed mother Tulasi Sahis.
With the help of the locals, the Notified Area Council provided a visual disability certificate to Dola and provided pension. The family runs with Dola’s mother’s earnings. Dola’s little pension helped supplement the family’s income.
However, the demonetisation move has severely affected Dola who has been running from pillar to post to avail pension for the past couple of months. He is turned away every time in the absence of a bank account. The NAC officials have been advising him to open a bank account.
Dola’s mother, being illiterate, hardly knows the process to open a bank account. No one ever imagined that Dola was productive enough to need a bank account for his personal expenses. Adding to his woes, he does not have a proof of identity like Aadhaar card, a pre-requisite for opening a bank account. Proof of address is a problem for him as he lives in a thatched hut with his mother.
Another visually challenged minor is Bijay Kumar Sahis who is running around NAC office for his pension but to no avail. Bijay, despite partial blindness, studies in a local primary school. His fate is also similar to Dola’s.
Notably, the government sanctioned pensions to 1459 handicapped persons under the NAC in the district. Now, 150 of them have been deprived of pensions for the past few months after demonetisation.
“Everyone was asked to open bank accounts but the two have failed,” said NAC co-ordinator Sanjukta Panda adding she would look into the matter and provide their pensions Monday. PNN
