RISHYAMUKH: An elderly tribal woman in Manirampur ADC Village under Rishyamukh Assembly constituency is reportedly surviving on forest fruits and roots amid an alleged suspension of her old-age pension and lack of work under the MGNREGA scheme, residents said.
The woman, identified as Purna Lakshmi Tripura, is said to be in her eighties. She lives with her disabled grandson, whom she has been caring for after he was reportedly sent back by his paternal relatives. She has no other immediate family support, according to local accounts.
Residents alleged that her old-age pension has not been credited to her bank account for the past six months, despite repeated visits to the bank. She reportedly holds a valid MGNREGA job card, but work under the scheme has allegedly been unavailable, and wages for completed work have allegedly gone unpaid for extended periods.
Locals said several other households in Manirampur ADC Village face similar issues, with irregular pension disbursement and limited MGNREGA employment reportedly affecting multiple families in the area, many of whom depend on forest produce as a fallback.
The matter has raised questions locally about the delivery of welfare schemes to tribal-dominated areas. Authorities have not yet issued an official response to the allegations. DA Newsdesk has reached out for comment and will update the report accordingly.