Bedridden mason awaits govt's help

BQ – The bedridden Rajesh is living in a small shed on the forestland on the outskirts of the town, along with his wife and daughter. The hapless family has no source of income.

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, January 5

Bedridden Rajesh Kumar has been fighting for his survival for the past six months but none has come to his rescue.

Rajesh was working as a mason. While casting a slab on the roof of a building, he fell and suffered paralysis. He made all efforts to get financial assistance from the government but in vain.

A Tribune team today visited the bedridden Rajesh, who is living in a small shed on the forestland on the outskirts of the town, along with his wife and daughter. The hapless family has no source of income.

Kamlesh Kumari, wife of Rajesh, says that after the accident, Rajesh is confined to bed and it has been difficult for the family to make ends meet. She says since he is in a critical condition, he cannot be left alone, therefore, she is unable to work. However, some locals are helping the family and no government aid has poured in for the family so far.

Information gathered by The Tribune revealed that Rajesh was neither in BPL list nor on IRDP Antodaya. However, Ghuggar panchayat considered his name for the allotment of house under the “Prime Minister Awas Yojana” but it could not be allotted to him because Rajesh was landless. Rajesh and his wife were grateful to the Forest Department, who had allowed them to raise a roof on the land.

A local NGO, the United Youth of Modern India , has helped Rajesh and provided him medical and financial aid.

When the matter was brought to the notice of SDM Dharmesh Ramotra, he assured of all help to the family. He said if Rajesh got a permanent disability certificate from the District Medical Board, he would be eligible for one-time financial aid of Rs 2 lakh, along with disability pension.

Dr Nishant Mehata, president of the NGO, said he would take Rajesh to Dharmsala next week in an ambulance to present him before the medical board so that necessary formalities could be completed, paving way for the financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh.

Though the state government has launched a number of schemes for the welfare of the poor, hardly the genuine get benefits of such schemes. The Tribune had highlighted the issue related to irregularities in the disbursement of Rs 1 crore from the CM Relief Fund to the non-deserving persons.

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Caption:- Photo Rajesh Kumar-

Shed in which Rajesh with his family lives – Ravinder Sood