Alive but declared dead: Administrative lapse leaves elderly without pension in Odisha

In a glaring case of administrative negligence, an elderly woman was allegedly declared dead in official records, leading to the abrupt suspension of her pension and exposing serious lapses in the implementation of social security schemes in Odisha.

Eighty-one-year-old Chandra Patel from Badi Panchayat in Nuapada district had been receiving a widow's pension for nearly 20 years following her husband’s death. However, the pension amount stopped being credited to her account from May this year.

Upon inquiry, she was reportedly shocked to learn that she had been marked 'dead' in a report submitted by the Panchayat Executive Officer, resulting in the discontinuation of her pension.

Chandra later approached the Khariar Block Development Officer (BDO) and the Nuapada District Collector in person to prove that she is alive. Despite her efforts, the pension has not been restored so far, leaving her struggling to purchase essential medicines. The Block Social Security Officer has assured that the pension will be regularised within a month.

The incident has raised serious questions about verification mechanisms and accountability within the social security system.

"I am not dead. However, my pension has been discontinued. As a result, I am facing so many problems," said Chandra Patel.

"Based on the report of the PEO, the name of the elderly woman has been excluded from the list. We have received the grievance. Her pension will be restored in the next month," said Khariar BSSO Kumar Majhi.

A similar picture of hardship has emerged from Ganjam district. Ninety-five-year-old Shukra Gamang of Banharpur Panchayat has allegedly been deprived of old-age pension despite fulfilling all eligibility criteria.

According to family members, repeated applications have been submitted since 2006 seeking pension benefits, but no approval has been granted. The family, dependent on podu cultivation and forest-based income, has also not been issued a ration card.

Shukra’s son, Dhanya Mandal, who has also crossed 60 years of age, has applied for pension benefits but expressed little hope, citing years of unsuccessful efforts for his father.

The local Block Development Officer attributed the delay to 'death vacancy' and assured that the matter would be resolved soon.

"I am about to die soon. However, I am yet to get my pension," rued Shukra Gamang.

"Now I am 61 years old, and my father is 95 years old. However, both of us are yet to receive our pensions," said Shukra’s son, Dhanya Mandal.

Also Read: Elderly woman fails to withdraw old age pension from bank, dies while returning home in Korapu

"Pensions are given in a panchayat as per the death vacancy. We consider disabled persons first, then widows, followed by the age-group. After an inquiry, I will try to solve the issue," said Dharakote BDO Sangram Keshari Swain.

The cases come despite the Chief Minister’s recent budget announcement that no eligible beneficiary would have to wait for pension benefits or depend on a vacancy arising due to someone’s death. For families like Chandra’s and Shukra’s, the promise of timely social security support remains to be realised.