Patna: Amid allegations of irregularities in housing schemes, scores of poor people have allegedly been deprived of facilities in Patna block of Keonjhar .
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana are being executed to provide houses to economically weaker sections of people, but these schemes seem to have gone awry in Patna block.
Here is an example in Dumuria-Khajuridiha Sahi under this block. A helpless widow has taken shelter inside a toilet built under Swachh Bharat.
The woman, Laxmi, lost her husband six months ago. Her two daughters were married off while her only son stayed away from home. Her house has been in ruins for lack of repair. The walls of the house have cracked, posing risk to her life.
The roof has crumbled. She has not repaired the house for lack of funds. She says, “In such situation, I have no way out, but to take shelter inside this toilet.” The toilet is too small to accommodate all her belongings. She cooks food in the open.
Her miserable condition speaks volumes of how housing schemes are being implemented in rural pockets of Patna. Locals alleged that genuine beneficiaries are deprived of housing benefits.
When asked about her case, BDO Kushal Chandra Nayak, said he got to know about her from the reporters. “The matter will be probed and if she is found eligible, a house will be provided to her,” he assured.
It is alleged that many people ineligible for housing have grabbed houses in the area.
PNN