Bolani, Keonjhar | July 27 (Sibashish Nanda)
Aadhaar-related services at the Bolani Sub-Post Office in Odisha's Keonjhar district have been non-functional for over two months, leaving thousands of rural residents without access to essential identity services. The disruption, attributed to a shortage of authorised personnel within the postal department, has affected over 20,000 people in Bolani and Balagoda panchayat.
With local services suspended, residents are compelled to travel to distant towns such as Barbil and Joda for Aadhaar enrolment, updates, or corrections. The situation has placed an additional financial burden on families and caused considerable hardship to senior citizens, women, and school-going children.
Taking cognizance of the issue, local women organisation Hope for Humanity has formally petitioned the district administration. In a memorandum submitted to Barbil Tehsildar Rakesh Kumar Panda, the group has demanded restoration of Aadhaar services at the Bolani Post Office within a week.
“Aadhaar is not merely an identification document—it is a gateway to numerous government welfare schemes, scholarships, ration entitlements, pensions, and banking access,” said Mrs. Sanjukta Sasmal, president of Hope for Humanity. “In a tribal and economically backward region like Bolani, this disruption is disproportionately affecting already marginalised communities.”
The Tehsildar has assured that the matter will be taken up with postal authorities for urgent resolution.
Hope for Humanity has stated that if services are not restored within the stipulated timeframe, the organisation will be compelled to initiate a peaceful sit-in protest in front of the post office.
This incident highlights the continuing challenges faced by remote and underserved regions in accessing basic citizen services, and the crucial role that grassroots organisations play in advocating for administrative responsiveness.