HINJILICUT: (Report- Ramakrushna Pani): A young woman with a severe disability is struggling to get the financial help promised by the government. Nandini Sahoo, a resident of Bhabandha village in Ganjam district, has a 100% hearing impairment. Despite having a digital certificate that confirms her condition, she is not receiving the full pension amount she is entitled to. 
100% Disabled Woman Denied Promised ₹3,500 Pension in Odisha


The Financial Struggle

Nandini lives in a small house with her family. Her father, Pitabasa Sahoo, works as a sweet maker and a daily laborer. He has no land and earns a very small income. The family finds it difficult to cover their basic needs. Nandini has been receiving a monthly pension of ₹1,200 since December 2014.
However, under the new state government rules, individuals with a 100% disability are eligible for an increased pension of ₹3,500 per month. Even though Nandini received her updated digital disability certificate on October 23, 2025, her pension amount has not changed.

Bureaucratic Delays

The family has approached local officials several times to ask for the increased allowance. Each time, they have returned home disappointed. The lack of financial support is putting a heavy burden on the poor family.
When reporters questioned the Block Social Security Officer (BSSO) about this issue, the officer explained the administrative status. The officer stated that Nandini’s application for the increased pension was forwarded to the Chhatrapur Sub-Divisional Officer in November of last year.
"We have already processed the paperwork for the increased allowance," the official said. "The beneficiary will receive the updated pension once the government releases the next target or budget allocation for this category."

Hope for the Future

For now, Nandini and her father continue to wait. The family hopes that the district administration will take quick action. They believe that getting the full ₹3,500 will significantly improve Nandini's quality of life and ease their financial stress.
This case highlights the gap between government policy and the actual delivery of benefits to the most vulnerable citizens in rural Odisha.