Bhubaneswar: Based on a report published in Orissa Post December 14, the state government has extended a helping hand to Panu Mandal of Ranpur block in Nayagarh whose family is facing economic hardship.
“After reading the report Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi directed the district administration to cover the person under the social security scheme and NFSA. Accordingly, Nayagarh Collector Arindam Dakua conducted the field enquiry through BDO Ranpur. Finding the family in economic hardship, the Collector sanctioned `20,000 from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for Panu Mandal for livelihood support.”
Officials said the Collector has also recommended his case to the Lead Bank of the district for loan assistance under DRI.
Mandal’s daughter-in-law (the widow of his son who died of cancer) has also been provided assistance under the National Family Benefit Scheme. She has also been sanctioned widow pension, officials said.
Officials said that Panu Mandal is staying with his daughter-in-law at present and has been covered under NFSA. However, because of some discrepancy in his voter ID (where he is underage), he has not been covered by the pension scheme.
“The Collector is taking steps for ascertaining the age of Mandal and cover him under the pension scheme,” officials added.
PNN
