NALGONDA: The delay in sanctioning new pensions by the state government has left many eligible elderly and disabled individuals in distress. Since the new government assumed office, the process of approving fresh pensions has remained stalled, causing severe hardship to those in need.
A heartbreaking example is nine-year-old M Srujan Kumar from Ambajipeta village in Shaligouraram mandal of Nalgonda district. Born with a severe mental disability and suffering from epilepsy, Srujan is unable to sit, stand, or speak. In 2019, his father, M Nagaraju, died after being struck by lightning. Just a week later, his mother abandoned him and remarried, leaving the child in the care of his grandmother, Sathamma, and paternal uncle, Naresh.
Naresh, who cultivates two acres of land, has been raising Srujan along with his two daughters. However, due to repeated crop failures and inadequate rainfall, he has fallen into severe financial distress and is unable to afford the boy’s medical treatment. As a result, Srujan remains bedridden. Despite making repeated efforts over the past three years to secure an Aasara pension, Naresh has received no response. He said he had earlier approached previous collector Ila Tripathi during a special Prajavani session for the disabled and elderly, but no action was taken.
Recently, he submitted a fresh representation to the current Collector, B Chandra Sekhar, during another grievance redressal session, stating that Srujan possesses a Sadarem certificate confirming 100 per cent disability.
Apart from the pension, Naresh has also sought government-funded medical treatment for the child. He pointed out that their mud house collapsed during recent heavy rains, forcing the family to move into a rented house. He added that he owns 100 square yards of land and requested the allotment of an Indiramma house to help the family recover from their financial crisis.
In a positive development, Collector B Chandra Sekhar responded to the appeal. After reviewing Srujan’s case, he announced that the child would receive Rs 4,000 per month under the ‘Mission Vatsalya’ sponsorship programme.
While this provides some immediate relief, the family and local residents continue to urge the government to offer a permanent solution by sanctioning the Aasara pension and providing a permanent house.