After an extremely long wait, 85 year old Bhagirathi Gaonkar received her 16 months pension of Rs 32,000 from The Goa State Co-operative Bank Quepem, at her residence Carla village, Sanguem. She could not receive her pension since she could not go to the bank. A combative South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes armed with pension data had taken Shailesh Shirodkar the Branch Manager of the Goa State Co-operative Bank, Quepem to task saying he would take up the matter in New Delhi. The manager buckled and assured to deliver the pension to her house on Wednesday, which his staff did.
Bhagirathi who lives at Carla Sanguem with her husband who is aged, blind and unable to speak was extremely happy to receive her pension. Bhagirathi, is unable to walk even a few steps, to go to the Bank to receive her Rs 2000 per month pension. Herald TV had highlighted this story on July 5, 2024 after which South Goa MP Capt Viriato visited Bhagirathi on July 20th in a borrowed 4 wheel drive since there was no road to her house and assured to get her the deserved pension. The road to Bhagirathi’s house is so bad that the 4 wheel drive stopped and our reporter and bank officials had to walk for about 3 kilometres.
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The house of Bhagirthi too is in a very bad condition such that it is not only open to the elements, but even to wild animals. There is just one bulb in the entire house. Her husband sits on the floor in a dark room and the food is kept on the floor. A good and generous neighbour Asmita Gaonkar gives them food.
O Heraldo and Herald TV had highlighted Bhagirathi’s plight on 5th and 6th July 2024. Captain Viriato Fernandes visited Bhagirathi on 20th July 2024. He again visited The Goa State Co-operative Bank Quepem, on 27th August and held the bank officials to book with pension data.
With the coming of the pension, it is hoped that she and her husband will see better day. We also hope that the local MLA or some good Samaritan comes forward to build her house.
