Replying to a Tweet @CMO Odisha on the issue of delay in providing Government benefits under the widow pension and old age pension schemes to some excluded persons of Nuamalpada village in Sinapali block, the Nuapada district Collector has assured that all Government benefits would be provided to the beneficiaries at the earliest.
The report on the situation of fluoride-affected people of Nuamalpada published in The Pioneer on January 9 was attached in the Tweeter account of the Chief Minister. Taking that into account the CM’s grievance cell had directed the district authority to link the excluded persons with the pension schemes by holding field camps.
The Collector had instructed the block officials of Sinapali for an inquiry; and after getting the report, she posted her reply to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). “All Govt. benefits will be provided to the above beneficiaries at an early date as per their eligibility as per Govt. norm. Financial assistance will be sanctioned out of CMRF in favour of the above beneficiaries,” she stated by attaching the report of the field functionaries in the Tweeter account.
The story in The Pioneer had a mention about exclusion of Gayatri Bemal (27) from widow pension, Gharmani Bemal (75) from OAP and Dhwaja (12) from disabled pensions’ list. Basing on the statement of the villagers, the report had argued that most people of this village have been affected by fluorosis and some have been crippled due to the disease. The inquiry officer, however; has reported that none of the deformities in the villagers is due to fluorosis.
Former Khariar MLA Hitesh Bagartti said, “The Health Department should conduct a health camp here to identify the cause of the disfigured teeth, joint pain
and stiffness of waist in a majority of children and young people. A block functionary without having any knowledge on fluoride has no right to comment.”
“Gayatri is waiting for last four years for widow pension; Gharmani has waited for ten long years for OAP. Hundreds of such people have been excluded from social security schemes. Had these officers been so sincere, Gayatri and Gharmani would not have waited for so long to get the benefits,” he added.