Delays in Pensions Increase Hardships for Bhopal Gas Tragedy Widows — A Ground Report

Bhopal- The women affected by the Bhopal Gas Tragedy in the capital city are once again facing issues with their pension. For the past three months, around five thousand women have not received their pensions, making their daily lives increasingly difficult.

According to reports, due to a budget shortage in the Gas Relief Department, this situation arises every six months, causing the most hardship to the vulnerable and needy widows.

Due to the negligence of senior department officials and the failure to allocate the budget on time, these women are struggling to meet their daily expenses. The Mooknayak team visited the gas-affected areas of Bhopal, where the widows shared their plight.

Indra Bai, a resident of JP Nagar in Bhopal, has been in distress for the past three months due to the non-receipt of her pension. She is finding it difficult to meet her daily needs and household expenses. Speaking to The Mooknayak, Indra Bai shared her problems, saying, "This is not the first time that there has been a delay in the pension. In the past as well, the pension has been stuck for months. Every time, we have to file a complaint with the Gas Relief Department and make rounds of the offices before any solution is found." Like Indra Bai, many other women are also facing similar issues with delayed pensions.

Similarly, another gas-affected widow from JP Nagar, Shakeela Bi, expressed her frustration, stating that she has not received a single penny of her pension in the last three months. She said, "Due to the negligence of the Gas Relief Department, we are not receiving our pensions. The officials always come up with new excuses, such as budget shortages or technical issues, to delay the matter. When we complain, the officials dismiss it by saying that the government has not released the funds yet and that the money will be transferred to our accounts only after it arrives."

This is the situation for thousands of gas-affected individuals who are entirely dependent on the government for their pensions. These victims have no other means of livelihood, and the pension is their only lifeline. The delay in receiving the pension deepens their financial crisis, making their lives even more challenging.

Pension only source of income

Widows who lost their husbands in the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy receive a monthly pension of one thousand rupees from the state government. This small amount is their only source of income for household expenses. However, this pension often remains delayed for months, with some cases extending up to six months, worsening their already dire financial situation.

Many widows are forced to borrow from ration shops as they have no other means of support. Their condition has become so severe that they are struggling to meet even basic needs. Organizations representing the gas victims have demanded immediate action from the government to resolve this issue.

Negligence Accusations Against the Gas Relief Department

In this context, Rachna Dhingra of the Bhopal Group for Information and Action, spoke to The Mooknayak and revealed that there has been no progress in the pension matter for the past three months. Dhingra criticized the negligence of Gas Relief Department officials and the government's lack of attention, which has led to the continued suffering of the victims. She mentioned that several attempts were made to contact the department, but only vague assurances were given.

According to Dhingra, the Gas Relief Department should have taken immediate action on this issue, but no concrete steps have been taken so far. She stated, "We have sent letters to the department, demanding the prompt release of pension funds." Meanwhile, the department has only mentioned that the pension funds will be released soon, but no specific date has been provided.

This situation has become even more concerning for the widows who are already facing severe financial crises. The three-month-long wait has been incredibly challenging for them. Organizations working for the gas victims have urged the government to intervene quickly in this matter to provide relief to the suffering widows.

Bhopal Gas Tragedy

On the night of December 2, 1984, death struck Bhopal in a manner so horrific that its scars are still unhealed. A deadly gas leak from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal killed thousands of people who were asleep in their homes. The entire city witnessed a massacre, with the death toll exceeding 16,000. Thousands who were exposed to the toxic gas survived but continue to suffer from its effects to this day.

Approximately half a million survivors of the gas tragedy have had to endure respiratory problems, eye irritation, blindness, and other ailments as a result of the exposure. The tragedy’s impact extended to the next generation, with many children born with disabilities or other health conditions. This grim situation continues, with several children in the affected areas still being born with abnormalities.

Note: The Mooknayak correspondent attempted to contact the office of the Director of Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation for the government's response. However, there was no response over the phone. Despite sending an email, no reply was received by the time this report was written. If a response is received later, the report will be updated accordingly.