Remuna: People affected by the devastating Cyclone Phailin are still awaiting government assistance despite three years passing since the calamity in Remuna block of Balasore.
Cyclone-affected people have not been given housing units despite several assurances. The victims are eking out their lives in utter misery, according to sources.
Narendra Santray, a resident of Gandarda in Nizampur panchayat, said he has been living in a shanty with his family ever since the cyclone struck. “The administration had assured us to provide a housing unit but we have got nothing till now. We are now left with no option but to live in a dilapidated shanty covered with polythene sheets. Monsoon has come and our problems will only rise,” said Narendra’s family.
A deluge of rains and floods that accompanied Phailin destroyed Narendra’s house. The administration had provided Rs 1,900 to the family after a survey and assured to provide a house under Biju Pucca Ghar Yojna.
Sadly, for the last three years, Narendra has been visiting the panchayat and block offices for a housing unit, but to no avail.
Upset over it, he took up the issue with the district collector at a public grievances camp a couple of days ago. Narendra lamented,”Many people in my panchayat, ineligible for housing schemes, have been provided houses. We on the other hand are desperately in need of assistance, but we don’t get it.”
He also levelled another allegation that people’s representatives are illegally selecting their supporters as housing beneficiaries by taking bribes from them.
It is learnt that the BDO has been asked to look into Narendra’s case. PNN
