Kesinga(Kalahandi): A family in Kalahandi district has reportedly been living under a polythene sheet for the past 30 years, braving scorching heat, rain and winter without a proper roof over their heads.
Rameshwar Jhara, 51, of Collector Pada near Kurlupada village under Kantesir gram panchayat in Kesinga block, lives with his wife Rukmini, 42, daughter Jyotsna, 16, and son Judhia, 11. The family members claimed they had approached the gram panchayat, block administration and district administration several times seeking help, but their problems remained unresolved.
During the monsoon, the family also faces the threat of snakes and other wild animals in the area, they added.
Rameshwar earns a living by making utility items from iron and tin and selling them from village to village. The income from the work is the family’s main source of livelihood.
The plight of the family and other residents of Collector Pada came to attention during a visit by the local sarpanch, Kesinga Community Health Centre superintendent Dr Rabindra Kumar Khatua and BJD town president, among others, Saturday on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day.
The visitors discussed issues related to health, education, drinking water, electricity and roads with residents and reportedly assured them of steps to address some of their problems.
Kanteshir sarpanch Mamtarani Nag said efforts would be made to include Rameshwar’s family under the housing scheme and provide drinking water and electricity connections to the locality.
For now, Rameshwar and his family continue to live under a polythene sheet, with their basic needs still unmet after three decades.
PNN
