Kendrapara: A 60-year-old visually impaired man, Ramesh Mallick, of Nolasahi in Raghudeipur GP of Derabish block, is struggling to get treatment for his physically and mentally disabled son and himself due to poverty. He is unable to maintain his family and is struggling to survive.
Ramesh was not visually impaired from birth. He used to maintain his family, including a disabled child, by working as a labourer. He also managed to get his daughter married, said his wife Sanjulata Mallick.
Ramesh, Sanjulata, their 17-year-old physically challenged son, Subhrasnhu Kumar Mallick and 7-year-old daughter are living in a rundown house.
Ramesh’s son was born physically deformed and has vision problems. He later developed mental illness. Ramesh treated his son at Cuttack spending huge amounts after selling the gold of his wife. But he was forced to stop the treatment of his son due to poverty and as there was no improvement in his condition.
Fate again played a cruel joke as Ramesh lost vision in both eyes due to diabetes two years ago.
As Ramesh was the only breadwinner in the family and is now incapacitated, the family is now struggling for survival. Fellow villagers have been helping the family by providing food, said Guru Charan Mallick, a villager.
“If I get proper treatment I might be able to see once again and maintain my family. But I am penniless. The government has been introducing several schemes to ensure free treatment for the poor, but I have got no help,” said Ramesh Mallick with tears in his eyes.
Although Ramesh’s physically disabled son is 80 per cent handicapped he is getting only Rs 500 as pension per month instead of Rs 700. Ramesh’s physically disabled certificate has not been issued. He is getting subsidised rice under the National Food Security Act, but a pucca house is only a dream for him although he has applied several times.
Ramesh and his family have requested the government and the district administration to help them by arranging proper treatment to him and his mentally ill son.
When contacted, district social security officer in-charge, Pravas Kumar Das, said that he would take steps to increase the pension amount of Ramesh’s physically and mentally disabled son from Rs 500 to Rs 700. The visually impaired son of Ramesh Mallick will be admitted to a government residential blind school in Kendrapara, he added.
He said that he would file an online application to get a physically handicapped certificate for Ramesh, if he deposits the required documents with him. This will enable Ramesh get the pension for handicapped individuals.
Das said if Ramesh is eligible to get a pucca house he would raise the matter with the district administration. He said the administration would provide free treatment to Ramesh after he gets the disability certificate.
PNN
