GAURESH SATTARKAR
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SANGUEM: Her pension had been pending for 16 months, and it took a campaign by O Heraldo and Herald TV, and some help from South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes, for the money to be disbursed to her. But for octogenarian Bhagirathi Gaonkar, a resident of Carla-Sanguem, the joy was short lived, as she lost her husband three days after she received Rs 32,000 as her rightful pension.
But now, there’s some good news for Bhagirathi, as Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has disbursed a fund of Rs 1 lakh to the South Goa Collectorate for repairs of her house, which is yet to be credited to her account. At present, Bhagirathi, whose house lies in a precarious condition, lives with her caretaker Asmita Gaonkar.
Bent with age, 85-year-old Bhagirathi finds it extremely difficult to walk and even cross the threshold of her house.
For nearly a year, post Covid, she could not visit the bank as she found it difficult to sit on a motorcycle and go to the bank to collect her pension. Part of the reason was the bad condition of the village roads. Finally, following South MP Capt Viriato’s intervention, the bank officials delivered the pension at her doorstep.
Taking cognisance of O Heraldo and Herald TV coverage, highlighting the poor condition of the roads, the cleaning work of Carla’s roads has commenced.
Describing the dire conditions in which Bhagirathi and her husband were living, the octogenarian’s caretaker Asmita Gaonkar said, “Because Bhagirathi was not getting any pension, they hardly had anything to eat. Now, the husband has died and she is living with me. I am providing food for her now. South Goa MP and Herald TV helped her avail the pension amount of Rs 32,000. I feel extremely happy that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has sanctioned Rs 1 lakh for Bhagirathi to repair her house.”
Carla panch member Pradeep Velip said, “Three months ago, O Heraldo and Herald TV had featured a report on Bhagirathi Gaonkar, after which MP Capt Viriato intervened and gave her the pension. The deputy collector and other officials have put her case before the Chief Minister who has assisted her with Rs 1 lakh. I thank the CM and appeal to him and Herald TV so that they continue to help others like Bhagirathi, who are badly in need of help.”
Bhagirathi received this assistance, showcasing the effectiveness of local officials and the government in addressing community concerns. This development also demonstrates the power of media and proactive governance in resolving local issues.
