Odisha's Politics Heated Up Over Delayed Social Security Pensions

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s politics heated up over the delay in social security pensions after Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik wrote a strongly worded letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, alleging that nearly 18 lakh poor and vulnerable people have not received their allowance for the past three months. Terming it a “major failure” of the state government, Patnaik demanded immediate resolution and said “technology cannot be an excuse to deny the poor their allowance.” He highlighted that elderly persons, widows, and persons with disabilities depend entirely on the monthly pension for daily survival, and the inordinate delay has pushed many families into distress and starvation. Citing a tragic case, Patnaik mentioned the death of Sabitri Dora, a woman from Beguniapada in Ganjam district, who allegedly died after not receiving her pension. “No technical glitch can be used to undermine the basic rights of the poor,” he wrote, criticizing the government’s claim of software-related issues. The former chief minister recalled his 24-year tenure, stating that his government observed the 15th of every month as “Jan Seva Divas” and ensured transparent pension distribution at the panchayat level. Those unable to collect were given doorstep delivery. He said the model was even praised by the Supreme Court. The BJD government, he added, had opposed a full banking system to protect beneficiaries’ dignity. Patnaik placed three demands before CM Majhi: Immediate manual disbursal of all pending pensions without waiting for software fixes. Action against officials responsible for the “serious negligence.” Assurance from the government that the rights of the poor will not be compromised in future. The letter comes amid growing discontent over halted welfare payments. With 18 lakh beneficiaries affected, the issue has become a flashpoint between the ruling BJP and the opposition BJD, as questions mount over the state’s social security delivery mechanism.