Although she has been eligible to receive the elderly allowance, widow and disability allowance as per the announcement and policy of the government, Maju Bibi did not get an allowance card even after trying for 40 years. Her husband Jabber Molla died 50 years ago.
Finally, Maju Bibi, a resident of Shir village in Digha union of Mohammadpur upazila of Magura got a widow allowance card using which she withdrew Tk 6,000 this month.
Since the death of her husband, Maju Bibi had been working as a maid in households until her physical condition deteriorated due to old age.
She had been dependent on her son Didar Molla who works as a low-income day labourer.
Didar’s wife Tahmina, 40, said that many people had tried to get Maju Bibi allowance card before but asked for money in return. “We did not get any government benefits as we could not pay.”
One of the locals, Akahid Hossain, brought the matter to the notice of Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mizanur Rahman and Social Service Officer Zainur Rahman who then immediately arranged the allowance for Maju Bibi.
Mohammadpur UNO Mizanur Rahman said, “Officers and staff of all departments have worked day and night to provide the rightful dues of the poor people of the upazila...If anyone is left out, they will be given the benefits after proper verification and selection upon contacting me directly.”
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