Deogaon: A 93-year old destitute woman and her 61-year old son are having hunger pangs as they were denied of a ration card under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) at Graduatepada Square here in Bolangir district.
Lalita Sahu and her son Pancha Sahu, in the absence of a house, have taken shelter on the verandah of a co-villager and with no livelihood means they are passing most of their days in hunger. They get to eat only when some villagers give them some food out of compassion.
Earlier Pancha used to earn his livelihood by engraving names of persons on brass and copper utensils. However, he could no longer pursue it after he had a physical infirmity.
Their condition aggravated after Lalita stopped receiving rice under Antodaya scheme after the authorities removed her name during ration card distribution programme last December.
Their health condition has deteriorated as they are severely underfed and it was apprehended that the mother-son duo might die of starvation if timely help does not reach them. Their only hope is an allowance of Rs 500 which Lalita receives as old-age pension. However, that is far from sufficient to feed the family of two.
Moved by their plight, some co-villager Saturday gave them biscuits and snacks to eat but Pancha did not take it, stating that how long he can depend on them when the authorities have deprived them of a ration card.
Villagers urged the district administration to intervene and provide a ration card to the family.
When contacted, sarpanch Chandrachud Behera said he was unaware about their plight but will take measures to provide them a ration card. PNN