Even as the government claims of launching score of schemes for the benefit of the deprived, a 70-year-old woman has been forced to mortgage her ration and old-age pension cards for her son’s treatment.
With no aid from the government, Sulochana Khura has pawned her ration and pension cards for a mere Rs 14,000.
This heart-wrenching incident has been reported from Gadabaguda village under Tentulikhunti block in Nabarangpur district.
After the death of her husband, Sulochana's son Nayan Khura was her only hope for living. He used to work as a tailor for living.
However, things took an ugly turn after Nayan broke his leg following an accident three years back.
Since then, he has been rendered bed-ridden to such an extent that he cannot do anything without the help of his mother.
While Sulochana herself is in need of assistance, she is forced to take care of her only son at the dusk of her life.
First, she had mortgaged her ration card for Rs 8,000 and admitted her son to Koraput hospital. However, the money was not enough as the man's leg started to swell more and his condition worsened.
Sulochana was then forced to mortgage her pension card to borrow Rs 6,000.
However, doctors asked them to go to Berhampur-based MKCG Medical College and Hospital. But, with no financial help from the administration, she brought her son back to the village and since then he is battling with life on a bed.
With no other source of income, the mother-son survive with whatever their relatives and neighbours provide them.
“As I have no other source of income, my ration and pension card was everything for us. But, now we have to survive on whatever our relatives and neighbours give us out of sympathy,” said Sulochana.
“After failure in treatment at Koraput hospital, they asked us to go to Berhampur. However, with no financial help, we were forced to return back home. Since then, I have been bed-ridden. My only request to the government is to kindly help me get better so that I can take care of my mother,” said a tearful Nayan Khura.
“The ration and pension card was their only source of survival. But, she was forced to mortgage that too for her son’s treatment,” said their neighbour.
Meanwhile, Tentulikhunti BDO, Duryodhana Bhoi said he has directed the authorities for a probe into the incident.
"We will try to reclaim the cards and hand it back to her. I have also talked to the medical team and necessary steps will be taken to provide necessary treatment as soon as possible,” said the BDO.