BHUBANESWAR: Demanding hike in monthly stipend and supply of 2-a-kg rice, Odisha Bikalanga Manch (OBM) an association of the physically challenged persons sat on an indefinite dharna at PMG square here from Saturday.
The Manch, in its two point-chartered demands, asked for Rs 1,000 as monthly stipend against the present Rs 200 and to provide monthly 2-a-kg rice with an Identity card like BPL people.
“It is our longstanding demand from 2009. We all gathered here and sat on dharna on June 25, 2010. The then Women and Child welfare minister Pramila Mallick had given us assurance to provide 2-a-kg rice and increment of stipend money, but nothing has happened. Even Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on September 21 also declared to supply the subsidy rice for the physically challenged families of the State, which is yet to get,” said State coordinator of Odisha Bikalanga Manch Niranjan Behera to The Pioneer.
While an OBM member from Bhadrak district Laxmikant Panda said they are getting stipend Rs 200 per month that is from Central Government. Odisha is lacking behind than Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Delhi like states that provide Rs 400-1,000 as monthly stipend, but our Government is so greedy to provide the facility to the physically challenged persons.
“Sad to say that Government has no empathy to listen us, the physically challenged persons, who are waiting for the justice since December 3 within untold pain and spending bone chilling winter nights on this footpath. But our dharna will continue till our demand is fulfilled” lamented OBM member Shyamsundar Lenka.
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