Article from The Hindu: 9th June

HIV patients and MadhuBabu Penion Scheme
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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2008/06/09/stories/2008060955980300.htm)
Other States
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Orissa
  

HIV-hit keep off pension scheme

Correspondent

They give wrong address for fear of being identified

KORAPUT: Fear of being identified and the social stigma they may have to face as a consequence is keeping many a person affected by HIV/AIDS in the district away from the benefit they are entitled to under the Madhubabu pension scheme.

The apprehension

“The mode of payment is unacceptable to the beneficiaries. As it is in the form of a cheque, it is feared that they can be easily identified,” says Balaji Panigrahy, a social activist working for the welfare of persons affected by the disease in the district.
“We fear even the postman who brings the cheque for Rs. 200 under the scheme. The presence of a postman in remote villages is rare. And his visits to a particular house to hand over the benefit will give rise to suspicion among villagers,” says an affected person.

Cheques undelivered

Confirming the existence of such fears among the beneficiaries, District Social Welfare Officer Sakuntala Majhi says that some of the affected persons identified by the Orissa State AIDS Cell to receive pension have given wrong postal addresses. “The office has received some cheques undelivered recently as the addressee could not be traced,” she adds.

Bank account

Of the 319 persons selected to receive the benefit in the district, there are even children below three years.
“This is posing a problem as parents have to open an account in their names in the bank so as to deposit the cheques,” Mr. Panigrahy says. While the majority of the affected persons are in need of the benefit, they are keeping themselves away from the system as they are not in a position to open a bank account by depositing the minimum balance, he adds.
“Opening of bank accounts by the administration and transfer of funds directly to them will revive hopes of patients. This way, the system of despatching cheques directly to the patients can be done away with,” suggests a patient.

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