Old Age Allowance
<i>Centenarian Barujan Bibi still waits for her turn</i>
"I am yet to get monthly old age allowance while several men and women around 50 years of age are getting it regularly," said centenarian Barujan Bibi. Wife of late Nader Sheikh, a fisherman-cum-farmer of Bogi Dashghar village under Sharankhola upazila of Bagerhat district, Barujan Bibi has been struggling for survival since her husband's death 42 years ago. "Time and again I moved to doors of the officials concerned to get monthly elderly allowance of Tk 300. But none of them bothered about my right to get it," she said referring to Sharankhola UNO and the upazila social welfare officer. "I have been suffering from old age complications for the last two years but I cannot buy medicines for treatment. Most of the days I have to remain half-fed. None of my five sons and eight daughters takes care of me properly as they are poor. They consider me as a burden," she said. Barujan Bibi, who is also suffering from hearing and eyesight problems, said she had given up the hope of getting elderly allowance as she was turned down after going to the UNO several times. When asked, Sharankhola UNO Khandaker Zahirul Islam said he had nothing to do with the matter as the upazila social welfare officer prepares the list of recipients of elderly allowance. Despite several attempts, Sharankhola Social Welfare Officer Md Ainal Haque could not be contacted for his comments about the allegation of Barujan Bibi.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments