OVM DEMANDS DISABILITY PENSION AS Rs.3000

Badal Tah,Odishabarta

Rayagada, November 11: While the price of one gas cylinder in Odisha is Rs. 1095,  Odisha government provides only ₹.500 per month as social security pension for maintenance expenses of a disabled family. According to an analysis, the amount of pension paid by Odisha is the lowest compared to other states.

This issue was discussed in the meeting of the Central Advisory Board on Disability on 26th of November 2020. It was held under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Pawar Chand Ghelot. Participating in this discussion, Arunachal Pradesh Minister Mr. Alolibank said that Disability pension is Rs. 2000 per month in his state. Chhattisgarh Minister Anil Vendia said that the pension in his state is Rs. 2000 per month. Minister of Sikkim Dr. MK Sharma said this to be Rs. 2000 per month in his state. In this meeting Shri Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister of Social Security and  Empowerment of persons with Disability, Government of Odisha was present and did not participate in the discussion regarding the increase of disability pension. His silence has created an embarrassing and ridiculous situation for the state government regarding the provision of increased amount of Social Security Pension to the disabled by the Odisha Government.

Many intellectuals and social organizations of Odisha, including the Odisha Viklang Manch are demanding that the Odisha government increase the disability pension from ₹.500 to ₹.3000 as soon as possible. In the 11th assembly session to be held this month, the district wing of Odisha Viklang Manch along with all other disability organizations including Odisha association for the blind under the leadership of its Secretary Sri Jalandhar Bacheli, Adviser Sri Gobinda Chandra Mishra & others have sent a special demand letter to Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Naveen Pattnaik through District Collector Smt Swadha Dev Singh to take a befitting decision in this regard.