Surguja, May 25 (IANS). The video of a woman carrying her 90-year-old mother-in-law on her back in Surguja district of Chhattisgarh has gone viral on social media. The video has sparked widespread attention and criticism over the difficulties elderly pensioners face in accessing welfare benefits.
The woman, named Sukhmania, said on Monday that she had to carry her elderly mother-in-law on her back for nearly three kilometers in the scorching heat after bank officials allegedly insisted on bringing her to the bank themselves to complete the pension-related formalities.
Sukhmania told IANS that I was not getting the money, so I took them there. I had to carry them on my back because otherwise it was not possible. The bank officials said I would have to bring them myself; Only then will the work be completed. He specifically asked me to bring him.
This incident happened on Friday in Mainpat Vikas Block of Surguja. A day later, a video of the incident taken by a passerby went viral on social media.
After watching the video, many people remembered the story of ‘Vikram-Betaal’, but it was not a folktale; It was a touching story of two women struggling under difficult circumstances for a basic welfare scheme.
Despite the scorching heat, scorching roads and the danger of heat stroke, Sukhmania continues her journey in the hope of receiving her mother-in-law’s monthly pension of Rs 500.
According to reports, the elderly woman had not received her pension for the last four months as her KYC verification process was incomplete.
Sukhmania is a resident of Jangalpara village of Kunia area. She is said to have walked several kilometers to reach the Central Bank of India branch in Mainpat town.
The incident has sparked outrage online, with social media users raising questions as to why elderly and mobility-impaired pensioners living in remote areas are being forced to physically appear for verification despite government claims of Digital India initiatives and door-to-door delivery of welfare services.
–IANS
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