Post News Network
Phulbani, Nov 21: In an instance of utter mismanagement of the Indira Awas Yojana scheme, a homeless family of Ragudisahi under Khajuripada block has been living under a bridge in tribal-dominated Kandhamal district for the last three months.
Locals said the scheme, meant to provide affordable housing to underprivileged sections of society who do not possess a home of their own, is going wayward in the district with eligible beneficiaries being left out of its ambit.
Adikand Jankar, his wife Sabita, and two sons Tuna and Manoj, have been living under a bridge. To add to the family’s woes, Adikand is mentally-deranged and his wife Sabita takes care of the entire family.
A shanty which the family used to live in collapsed during heavy rains several years back. They were taken in by their neighbours, and in 2011, Sabita was sanctioned a house under IAY.
Two contractors began construction work, but later abandoned it after a dispute broke out among them. Four years have passed, but no step has since been taken by the administration to complete the housing unit.
“My husband is mentally-challenged. He is also an alcoholic. He squanders away all his money in alcohol. I have no option but to work as a daily wager to feed my family. The contractors did not complete the work on our housing unit even though four years have passed. We don’t like taking shelter in others’ houses as we don’t want to be a burden on them and that is why we have taken shelter under this bridge for the last three months,” a distressed Sabita said.
“The bridge is also quite weak. Whenever a vehicle passes on it, we are panicked. The bridge leaks whenever it rains. The contractors have been only making false promises to complete the house, but are doing nothing. It is really chilly this winter. We are eagerly waiting for the completion of the house,” Sabita said.
Terming it a sensitive incident, chairperson of Khajuripada block Anima Kanhar said she would look into the matter.
Even as scores of poor and disadvantaged people are deprived of housing benefits under IAY in many cases, it is alleged that construction work is being carried out in a haphazard manner.