Raipur: Braving scorching heat and bureaucratic red tape, a tribal woman in Chhattisgarh's Surguja district walked nearly four kilometers with her 90-year-old mother-in-law on her back to complete KYC formalities at a bank. The elderly woman's Rs 500 monthly pension had been stopped for four months due to pending KYC requirements.
Incident Details
The incident occurred in Mainpat block on Friday and went viral over two days. The woman, identified as Sukhmaniya from Jangalpara village, is in her late 50s. A video shows her trudging along the road with her frail mother-in-law strapped to her back.
Sukhmaniya said a Bank Mitra used to deliver the pension at home every month, but payments stopped four months ago because the KYC process was pending. Left with no other option, she carried the elderly woman to the Central Bank of India branch in Mainpat town, breaking down in tears under the scorching sun.
Bank Response
Officials confirmed that the pension was last delivered in January. After Sukhmaniya reached the bank on May 22, KYC formalities were completed, and the pending pension amount of Rs 2,000 for four months was released.
Official Statements
Mainpat Janpad Panchayat CEO Khushboo Shastri told reporters that the local bank has seven Bank Mitras to deliver pensions at the doorstep of beneficiaries who cannot visit branches. She assured that the elderly woman would receive her pension at home from next month.
Political Reaction
The video drew political criticism, with former deputy chief minister T S Singh Deo stating that leaders who visit homes seeking votes must also ensure elderly beneficiaries receive pensions at their doorstep.
