Joda: The government has implemented schemes like pension scheme and food security for elderly, widows, physically challenged persons, but scores of genuine beneficiaries have been deprived of the scheme in tribal-dominated Bhuyan Roida panchayat under Joda block of Keonjhar.
They alleged that they have been running from pillar to post to avail of the benefits, but nothing has been done for them.
Some villagers took up the issue with the Joda BDO Tuesday. They lamented that they have not been provide with ration cards nor enrolled under pension schemes.
Most of them complainants who turned up for the BDO were widows. They included Minati Nayak, Shanti Nayak, Radha Munda, Raibari Munda, Padmini Patra, Bharati Karua, Sumari Oram, Parvati Patra and Nandi Munda.
“We have applied for pension at the panchyayat office several times in the past, but none has paid heed to our plight. Sarpanch and panchayat officials have always avoided us, telling us every time to come later. They kept on delaying,” they bemoaned.
Finally, they drew attention of the BDO in this regard.
Sumari Oram said,” For the last three year, I have been frequenting to the panchayat office for pension. The sarpanch is never available at the office. He is always out of reach of people. We are only promised a lot of thing during elections.”
Biswaranjan Das, a youth of the village said, “People eligible for widow pension and ration cards, do not get benefits. If the demand of the people is not fulfilled, we will stage dharna at the block office.”
Joda BDO Arun Kumar Mallick, said,”I will talk to the sarpanch. The VLW and the panchayat executive officer will be asked to prepare lists of beneficiaries.”
