KARUR: Eighty-year-old Raakammal, who is living alone in her small house at Chinnamanaikkenpatti, had a surprise high-profile guest for lunch two days ago when Karur Collector T Anbazhagan, who came calling with home-cooked meal for her. After serving on a banana leaf for her, the Collector sat on the floor besides her and had his food.
Raakammal, who poured her heart during the lunch was delighted to know that the Collector later ordered a monthly old-age pension of Rs 1,000 for her. It was at a grievance redress meeting two days before that Anbazhagan was told about the woman living alone in extreme poverty by people who requested him to arrange financial aid for her.
“Due to age-related problems, she could not do any work and earn a living. The old-age pension scheme is meant to help such people. The district administration will take steps to cover all such persons under the scheme,” the Collector said.