obindapur, North 24 Parganas, July 17, 2025: In a shocking case of bureaucratic negligence, 72-year-old Bishtupada Das, a Scheduled Caste resident of Gobindapur, Swarupnagar, has been denied his old age pension of Rs. 1,000 per month under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme since January 31, 2023. The reason? An erroneous entry in official records marking him as “deceased.”Das, who survives by begging, lives in abject poverty with his wife and deserted daughter, both grappling with age-related health issues. With no agricultural land or alternative means of income, the family relies solely on government aid and the kindness of neighbors.
The loss of his pension for 29 months has pushed them to the brink of starvation.Despite repeated appeals to the Gram Panchayat, Block Development Office (BDO), and the District Magistrate of North 24 Parganas, Das has received no relief. Initially assured by the BDO Swarupnagar that the issue would be resolved, he was later informed of the devastating error in the records. Heartbroken, Das told a fact-finding team, “Why am I still alive? What proof must I give to show that I am not dead?”A letter addressed to the Secretary of the Panchayat & Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal, has urged immediate action to rectify the records, restore Das’s pension, and disburse the pending payments. It also called for measures to prevent such errors in the future to protect vulnerable elderly citizens from similar hardships.Das’s details, including his Aadhaar No. (6745 0381 8202), Voter ID (LLQ0267823), Ration Card No. (SPHH 4225 1157), and bank account at State Bank of India, Taranipur Branch (A/C No. 33548102653), have been submitted for reference.This case highlights a grave administrative failure, raising concerns about the plight of marginalized communities dependent on government schemes for survival.
Kirity Roy
Secretary
Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha
(MASUM)
&
National Convenor (PACTI)
Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity
