Odisha: Man stages strike, threatens to consume poison over old age pension woes

The agitator,  Dasarathi Jena of Sadanga panchayat in Hatadihi block of the district, was joined by over 20 other beneficiaries who have reportedly been deprived of the social security assistance. 

Keonjhar: With resentment brewing over non-disbursement of old age pension since last few months, a man along with 20 other people has staged an indefinite dharna threatening to consume poison in Hatadihi block of Keonjhar district in Odisha since Friday. The agitator,  Dasarathi Jena of Sadanga panchayat in Hatadihi block of the district, was joined by over 20 other beneficiaries who have reportedly been deprived of the social security assistance.

Jena, who has been on dharna with a bottle of poison in Sadanga, claimed that nearly 40 beneficiaries in the panchayat have been suffering as old age pension has been halted since last four months.

“I have not received my old age pension since last five six months. I went to the block development office many times but to no avail. What do I do? Staging a dharna is my last resort. If my demands are not addressed, I will consume poison and die here” he told mediapersons.

Other protestors too echoed similar views. “We have been doing rounds of block office and even reached out to the sarpanch. I can barely see as my vision is declining. But no help is coming our way,” another said.

Menawhile, the sarpanch of the panchayat, who reached the site of protest, shared that the block development officer has been apprised of the problem and pacified the protesting villagers to call off the strike. “People are suffering since old age pension is not being credited into their accounts. People are coming and complaining in the panchayat. The BDO has been informed about the distress of beneficiaries but nothing has been done yet to alleviate the problems,” the sarpanch said.

Also Read

Comments are closed.