Balangir: A day after the Supreme Court directed the Odisha government to provide a free PMAY house and old-age pension to 80-year-old Radhika Bhue and her visually impaired son Japa Bhue (56), state officials on Wednesday reached Bagdia village under Binika block in Subarnapur district with immediate assistance and assurances of support.
A team comprising the secretary of the district legal services authority, district social security officer, Binika BDO and a medical team visited Radhika’s house, officials said.
“The team took stock of the situation and interacted with the mother and son. Both stay together and draw a pension of Rs 3,500 every month,” said Binika BDO Sarat Kumar Bag.
The medical team examined both and detected a lump, later confirmed as a cyst in Japa’s head, Bag said, adding that he would be admitted for surgery soon.
Japa suffers from congenital blindness and has been dependent on his mother for daily needs since his father’s death. Officials said Radhika was earlier allotted a house under a free housing programme, but the family has sought an additional house for Japa.
Bag said Japa does not have an Aadhaar card, which would be issued soon, following which his case for the housing scheme will be processed.
A Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice V Mohana took suo motu cognisance on June 16, 2026, of media reports on the duo’s plight in a dilapidated asbestos-roofed structure, and directed Odisha to ensure “all basic amenities and facilities necessary for a life of dignity” until further orders.
The court also directed Odisha State Legal Services Authority to engage Japa Bhue as a paralegal volunteer to create awareness among differently abled people about their legal rights and welfare schemes.
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About the Author
Avinash Mohanty
A keen observer of western Odisha issues, Avinash Mohanty writes from Balangir. His focus areas include distressed migration and regional imbalance.
