Keonjhar: Though the state and central governments have been implementing housing schemes for poor and economically backward people, scores of poor tribals under Bansapal block in Keonjhar district have failed to reap benefits due to apathy from the administration.
A case in point is a Juanga couple, who has been leading a miserable life in their dilapidated shanty at Talakansh in Kodipasha panchayat.
Amid allegations that many wealthy people have managed to grab government houses, the plight of Juanga couple has raised doubts on effective implementation of housing schemes.
According to reports, the cottage of Junaga couple has partially caved in and they somehow manage to take shelter under it.
Narrating his condition, Badu Junaga said: “I have no fund to repair the broken house and covered it by a plastic sheet. In the scanty space, we manage to cook and find it difficult to live inside it.”
The house stands isolated in the hilly and forested area. Their life in the forest is always fraught with dangers from wild animals and reptiles. “We have no way but to leave our fate to the divine powers. We have no light and no money to buy oil for the lamp.”
The couple manages to eke out a living by doing daily labour. “When we fall sick, we have no money to get treatment. Since we are illiterate and do not know the procedures at offices, we do not get out to tell our problems,” the couple said.
During rainy days, the couple is unable to cook their food due to the leaking roof.
The couple’s miserable situation points to the failure of tribal development schemes for which the government has been spending crores of rupees.
The couple made several visits to the panchayat office with a request for a house, but to no avail.
Some villagers said a house was allotted in Badu’s name, but he was unable to bribe for the house.
However, many other tribals including Malli Juanga, Gouri Juanga and Naikam Juanga have got houses, but have not been completed yet. PNN
