Civic Apathy: 80-Year-Old Odisha Woman Crawls 2 km to Collect Pension I Video

Keonjhar: An 80-year-old woman in Odisha 's Keonjhar district was forced to crawl nearly two kilometers to a panchayat office to collect her old-age pension on Saturday. This incident has sparked widespread criticism, particularly as it defies a government directive ensuring pension deliveries to the homes of elderly and disabled individuals.

Forced to Crawl for Basic Support

Pathuri Dehury, the elderly woman seen in the video, suffers from mobility issues due to her age and other health problems. She explained that despite the government's policy, she was told by the Panchayat Extension Officer (PEO) that she must come to the office to collect her pension. 

"I rely on this pension for my daily expenses, but no one came to my house to deliver it. I had no choice but to crawl to the panchayat office," Dehury said, recounting the difficult and painful journey. 

The 2 km distance, under scorching heat and rough terrain, highlights the extreme challenges faced by vulnerable individuals when government services are not delivered as promised.

 Public Outrage and Official Response

The incident quickly gained attention in the local community and beyond, with many expressing outrage at the apparent disregard for the well-being of elderly citizens. Local officials responded swiftly to the public criticism.

"We deeply regret what happened," said Bagun Champia, the sarpanch (village head) of Raisuan. "We have instructed the PEO and supply assistants to ensure that from next month, Pathuri Dehury's pension and rations will be delivered directly to her home."

Similarly, Geeta Murmu, Block Development Officer (BDO) of Telkoi, assured that immediate steps would be taken to prevent such occurrences in the future. "We have directed all PEOs to ensure that beneficiaries who are unable to travel receive their allowances at home. This incident should never have happened."

Government Guidelines Ignored

The case stands in direct contradiction to the Indian government’s directive, which mandates that pensions and other social security benefits be delivered to the homes of elderly and disabled citizens. This measure was put in place to prevent exactly these types of situations, ensuring that vulnerable people do not face additional hardships to claim the support they need.

Despite the policy, lapses in its execution are common in rural areas. Cases like Pathuri Dehury’s reflect a larger systemic issue where proper oversight and enforcement of government schemes are lacking.