Govt reaches out to differently abled person
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 26 2018:
The State Government has extended its support to Wahengbam Shamungou Singh, a differently abled person from Tera Khongshangbi Mamang Leikai, Bishnupur district who was deprived of various Governmental schemes for years, after media houses highlighted his hard life recently.
Shamungou (68) has been living with his mentally unsound wife Maipakpi and two small daughters for the past many years without proper source of income.
He had even sold his catties some years back to meet the cost of his wife's treatment.
But her mental condition does not improved and started worsening recently.
Shamungou had built his house 'at a small plot of land given to him by his landlord from Imphal.
He had been working as a tenant farmer for the person (landlord).
With his health deteriorating, Shamungou has been experiencing a tough life for years.
Adding salt to his injury, Shamungou's house was damaged by a storm few years back and has been in falling condition since then.
Shamungou and his family members were allegedly denied all the benefits of Government schemes, such as NFSA, by local authorities on mere reason that he did not cast his vote, claimed one of his neighbours.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, his neighbours who usually look after him alleged that a local elected representative 'mockingly' told him to take the benefits of Governmental schemes from the person he voted for.
Shamungou was also allegedly denied the benefit of housing scheme on the ground that he casted his vote to another candidate, the neighbour claimed.
Shamungou can no longer afford the cost of sending his two daughters to school now, he added.
"I was very much delighted to see the Government officials approaching the family of Shamungou to provide possible assistance as per the instruction of Chief Minister," said the neighbour.
State Government's representatives, including Bishnupur DC (in-charge) Gojendro, Bishnupur SDO (in-charge) Lalithambigai, Social Welfare Deputy Director (Disable) Th Dilipkumar and District Social Welfare Officer N Jotish among others met Shamungou.
The DC in-charge conveyed that he will investigate the charges Shamungou and his neighbour labelled against authorities.
Government benefits of housing scheme, NFSA, job-card and pension money of Rs 1,500 per month under Chief Ministergi Sotharaba Tengbang will be provided to Shamungou at the earliest, said the DC in-charge.
The Government representatives also provided a disability certificate to Shamungou.
ICHAM former president N Rajendro who joined the meeting also gave a monetary assistance and a bag of rice to Shamungou.