Bhograi (Balasore): Raising concerns over the non-disbursal of monthly allowances to elderly persons in Odisha for the past three months, an Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) legislator has written to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, requesting that his own MLA allowance be withheld.

In his letter, Bhograi MLA Goutam Buddha Das said at a time when elderly citizens are not receiving their rightful monthly support, his conscience does not permit him to accept his own allowance.

Highlighting the distress in his constituency, Das said several elderly people have approached him with grievances, often in tears, over the delay in payments. He admitted he has been unable to provide them with satisfactory answers.

“I feel there is no moral ground for me to accept the monthly allowance,” Das stated.

He urged the Chief Minister not to credit his MLA allowance until the pending payments to elderly beneficiaries are cleared.

Describing his move as a “toned-down protest,” the legislator criticised the government’s alleged insensitivity and inefficiency in addressing the issue. He expressed hope the government would resolve the matter at the earliest and restore relief to affected families.

Das pointed out around 22 lakh elderly, differently-abled persons, widows, and other vulnerable sections in Odisha have not received their monthly social security allowances for the past three months, leading to significant hardship.