OTV impact: Elderly woman in Bolangir gets pension, wheelchair support

In a heart-touching development, the administration took prompt action after a report aired on OTV showing an elderly woman being carried on a chair to collect her pension money. The incident took place in Bankibahal village under Patnagarh block in Bolangir district, where an elderly woman named Ganen Bariha had to be physically carried to the Patnagarh branch of SBI to receive her pension.

Following OTV coverage, Patnagarh BDO Sumanta Minj, issued immediate instructions. Acting on his directive, Patnagarh BSSO Kamalakanta Barik and Aadhaar Card Supervisor Pritam Patel visited the woman’s home.

During the visit, the officials reportedly handed over Rs 10,000 in financial assistance and also provided her with a wheelchair to ease her mobility. Furthermore, the BDO has reportedly instructed officials to ensure that the elderly woman receives her pension amount directly in cash every month going forward.

Must Read: 80-year-old man crawls to panchayat office to avail old-age pension in Kendrapara

This swift administrative response comes as a welcome relief, highlighting the importance of media in amplifying the voices of the vulnerable.

Earlier in May this year, an 80-year-old man had to crawl all the way to the local panchayat office at Koro Gram Panchayat in Kendrapara district to avail his old-age pension.

Sridhar found himself in this dire situation after panchayat officials declined to allow his daughter to collect the pension on his behalf.