11th April 2013

 

To

The Hon’ble Chairperson

West Bengal Human Rights Commission

Bhabani Bhaban

Alipur

Kolkata – 27 

 

Sir

 

I want to draw your attention on the impecunious living of an aged woman at the Polta village under Aturia Gram Panchayet. Ms. Madari Dasi Biswas, wife of Late Guricharan Biswas, aged about 89 years, a resident of village -Polta under Aturia Gram Panchayet of Badurai Block and Police Station. She lost her husband years back and now living with her two sons. She lives in a dilapidated hutment with pouring roof. He sons fend themselves by catching fish but not looking after their aged mother. She is now totally dependent on alms from her neighbors. She is unable to work due to her age.

 

This poor woman was erstwhile getting old age pension and in this connection opened an account in post office in the year 21.1.2008 and received first installment of Rs. 2000 on 24.12.2008, and last on 15.10.2009 of Rs. 400. All of a sudden her pension was stopped by the block administration. She contacted the local panchayet member and pradhan to know the reason, the panchayet members and pradahan not made any heed and directed her to contact the Baduria Block administration. She found the block administration equally unresponsive on her woes. Later, the local panchayet member told her that the age written in her voter identity card (EPIC) is lower and not attract the facilities under old age pension. The aged woman was forced to ferry between the block administration and the member/ pradhan of gram panchayet; while both tried to shirk their responsibility, though she is not in proper physical shape to walk the distance. On 27.07.2011 she made a written complaint to the Block Development Officer; Baduria. Again the Block administration asked her to meet the pradhan of the panchayet. At last she made a complaint to the Sub Divisional Officer; Basirhat on 18.3.2013, but, without any respite.

 

The poor woman has been suffering for the administrative wrongs and mistakes for which she is not distantly related. In the EPIC (Identity Card WB/14/094/426232), her age has been stated as 30 years as on 1.1. 1995, and in sharp contrast, her son Mr. Kartik Biswas’s age has been stated in the EPIC (WB/14/094/426007) as 40 years as on 1.1.1995.  In the voter list of 2011, the gaffe continued, as it shows in part number 127 of Polta, Purba Para, Mouza- Polta, JL No.- 99, Village and Post- Aturia, Police Station- Baduria, the serial no. 452 is of Mr. Kartik Biswas; the son of the victim woman; his age has been shown as 56 years and the serial number 453 is of the victim; her age has been shown as 46 years. So, the mistake was on the part of the administration, and they are duty bound to rectify the same without any delay.

 

In this connection I request and demand to you for:-

 

·       The age dispute of the victim woman should be rectified without delay and during the course, she must not face further harassments and troubles

 

·       The victim must be provided with prescribed assistance or benefits in accordance to the state deliverances; Old Age Pension and Antodaya and Annapurna Yojna

·       The victim should provided with a proper shelter and safety and security of the victim should be guaranteed with due protection measures

·       The irresponsible and delinquent block administration and Panchayet officials should be charged for non compliance of their official duty

·       The responsible authority who made mistake regarding her age in the EPIC must be punished

 

Thanking You

 

(Kirity Roy)

Secretary – MASUM

Inline images 1

Madari Dasi Biswas

Inline images 2

Roof of Madari’s palace

Kirity Roy
Secretary
Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha
(MASUM)
&
National Convenor (PACTI)
Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity
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