46 years after hubby’s death, Odisha woman, 91, to get pension

CUTTACK: The Orissa high court has directed the Kendrapada district collector to pay family pension to a 91-year-old widow whose husband, a school teacher, died 46 years ago.
A single judge bench of Justice Biraja Prasanna Satapathy issued the direction Wednesday in the case of Hara Sahoo, the wife of Benudhar Sahoo, who was an assistant teacher at Ratnakar Middle English School in Kasoti, when he died on August 26, 1977.

The widow had filed several representations for family pension before the school as well as mass education authorities in the district since 1991, but in vain.

Hara moved to HC on October 19, after the Kendrapada collector rejected her representation for family pension, gratuity and other service benefits on August 21

Cuttack, Nov 18 2023: It may corroborate the judicial adage 'justice delayed is justice denied' but a 91-year-old woman will have a smile on her face as she would get a family pension after 46 years of her husband's death, thanks to the breakthrough judgment of the High Court.   

The elderly woman will get the entire arrear amount due to her after the death of her husband. The High Court has directed concerned authorities in this regard.  

According to the information, Hara Sahoo, now 91, of Palei Kandarpur under Derabish block in Kendrapara district had lost her husband on August 26, 1976. 

Following this, Hara ran from the pillar to the post to get a family pension as her husband served in the State government. She approached the District Education Officer, the District Collector, and other higher officers, but all her efforts were unsuccessful. 

Finally, she filed a petition in the High Court. 

The High Court has directed the authorities to disburse arrears and start giving pension to her within two months' time.