Khaprakhol: The abundance of housing schemes for the poor by both the state and the union government has not helped Laldeep Bariha (45), a poverty stricken man, who lives on the verandah of a ward-member in Maharapadar village under Khaprakhol block of Bolangir district.
Such is the case with many others here despite the claimed success of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY), Biju Pucca Ghar Yojna (BPGY) and Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) in Bolangir. Many continue to live in dilapidated houses and on verandahs.
Laldeep says, he used to work as a daily laborer and used to have a thatched house too. That said, his life turned upside down following the illness and demise of his wife. Broken financially and emotionally, he was seen begging on the streets with his children in front of Harishankar temple.
Later, the Childline rescued the two children.
The thatched house he owned collapsed owing to heavy rains. Now he lives on the verandah of a ward-member of his village.
Fellow villagers have demanded a pucca house for him.
