Shocking! Elderly divyang woman crawls for 2km to avail old-age pension in Odisha's Keonjhar

In a rather distressing incident, a 70-year-old specially-abled elderly woman had to crawl for 2km, all the way to the local panchayat office to avail her old-age pension. The elderly woman heavily dependent on the pension money for her livelihood, took the drastic step with no one to help her.

Unable to walk properly due to her old age, the elderly woman had to crawl on her knees to the panchayat office, hoping the officials there would be able to address her plight. The arduous crawl resulted in blisters on her feet, knees, and hand, the elderly woman revealed.

The painful incident has been reported from Raisuan panchayat under Telkoi block in Keonjhar district. Despite the government’s directives to ensure that welfare pensions are disbursed at the doorsteps of beneficiaries, the plight of the woman exposes the negligent attitude of government officials.

“The PEO has asked me to reach his office for the pension. So, with no other option, I have to crawl for 2kms all the way to the panchayat office. There is no one for me,” alleged the elderly woman Pathuri Dehury.

“This is really sad. I will personally request the PEO to hand over the pension money to the elderly mother at her home. I will ensure that the pension is given at her doorstep from next month,” said Raisuan panchayat sarpanch Bagun Champia.