New applications for old age and widow pensions not being accepted

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, July 22: At a felicitation ceremony to honour Jharkhand Minister Saryu Roy who took the initiative to ensure Bhumij language being recognized as the second official state language, speakers eulogized him for his efforts at a function held at the Community building today. They said that the Bhumij community had been striving since years for the recognition of its language as the second official language of the state but all their efforts had been unsuccessful. It was only after Saryu Roy took up the cause that the demand was realized.

The Bhumij community people had drawn up a proposal which they discussed with Saryu Roy. �He read the proposal carefully and then forwarded the proposal to the government with his recommendation. He was the first person from Jharkhand who had recommended for the acceptance of the Bhumij language as the second official state language and it was entirely due to his efforts that our language was given the status last year,� said one of the speakers.

The senior members of the community also lauded Saryu Roy and contended that his leadership had ensured development in his Assembly constituency. �He has been with the people through thick and thin, always willing to provide a helping hand,� remarked a senior citizen on the occasion.

The senior citizens complained to the Minister and Jamshedpur West legislator that fresh applications for old age and widow pensions were not being accepted. Saryu Roy immediately called up the Chief Secretary and informed about this predicament of the senior citizens. Roy assured them that he would take up the issue and soon fresh applications for the pensions would be accepted.

Among those present during the felicitation programme were Yudhishthir Sardar, Jai Singh Bhumij, Nehalal Sardar, Sanjay Sardar, Manoj Sardar, Chunnu Bhumij and other Bhumij community members and senior citizens.