Sambalpur: A rickshaw-puller, who had applied to the district collector for mercy killing after being bedridden for nearly six months, is still awaiting a response from the administration.

Bhama Pathak wrote to Sambalpur collector Samarth Verma on April 10, requesting the authorities to allow the mercy killing of her husband Hadu.

In her letter, Bhama wrote that Hadu, 65, was suffering from cancer and it had reached the last stages. Narrating the plight of her family, Bhama said: "...he (Hadu) has lost the will to live. I cannot see him suffering any more."

Hadu was taken to Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (Vimsar) in Burla for treatment six months ago. But the doctors there said that he was in the terminal stage. Doctors told Bhama to take him home.

A resident of a slum in Hirakud Colony, Bhama said: "He has been lying on the floor for the past six months. He is unable to bear the pain. We do not have the money for further treatment and there are no chances of survival. He wants to die."

"My husband is not in a condition to stand. He has developed bedsore. A foul smell is constantly coming from his body and it is very difficult for us to bear in this small hut," Bhama said.

"It is not possible for me to take care of my husband throughout the day. I work as a maid to sustain my large family."

Bhama wrote: "My husband earned a living by pulling a rickshaw. He is bedridden now, leaving me as the sole earning member in the family. I cannot manage the family on my meagre salary."

After receiving Bhama's letter, Verma discussed the matter with Vimsar director A. Pujahari to depute a team of doctors to visit Hadu's residence and take care of his treatment. He also ordered to pay Rs 30,000 to Hadu from the district Red Cross fund.

Pujahari told The Telegraph that he had visited Hadu's residence and suggested to get a biopsy done to ascertain the type of cancer Hadu was suffering from.

He also requested Vimsar's professor of pathology to take up the test. However, Pujahari said it was difficult to conduct the tests at Hadu's home. "Proper diagnosis has not been done in the case. I suspect that he is suffering from thyroid cancer. At the same time, he also has some spinal problems," he said.

Bhama, however, remained sceptical.

"Although one week has passed, no step has been taken for the treatment. We are yet to receive the money that had been assured by the collector," Bhama said, adding that she had visited the Red Cross office but the payment was stuck due to administrative problems.

"His condition continues to deteriorate. He has been suffering a lot. Either the government should take up his treatment so that he can get some relief or allow him to die," Bhama said.

The couple's son, Rinku, had died from jaundice in 2014 at the age of 27. They have been supporting Rinku's two sons since then.