Talgaon: It may seem to be incredible, but a cow shed has been the only source of shelter for octogenarian siblings for the past 25 years – thanks to the apathy of the administration.
Bhima Behera (75) and his elder 80-year-old sister Tara Behera has been seeking shelter under a cowshed for the past 25 years. The heartrending incident was reported from Mahalikpada village under Harbhanga block in Boudh district.
Scores of housing schemes launched both the Centre and the state government seems to be not of any advantage for the genuine beneficiaries. Earlier, a villager – Arakhit Pradhan of Bhaunripathar village, was residing under a tree with his family members as he could not afford to bribe the concerned officials to provide him a house.
After the plight of Pradhan was published in Orissa POST, the administration extended a helping hand. However, the plight of Bhima and his sister is said to be even worse as they neither have a ration card nor do they avail old-age pensions.
While Bhima is mentally deranged and wanders, Tara moves from one village to another begging for alms and takes care of her ailing brother with whatever she manages to collect from the locals.
While everyone concerned, beginning from the local representatives, sarpanch and block officials, is well aware of the plight of the siblings, no one has bothered to alleviate their problems. This is contrary to the government’s claims regarding its pro-poor schemes.
Sympathising with the siblings, locals have demanded that the administration take necessary steps to rehabilitate the two hapless people and provide them with a better living.
When contacted, Harbhanga block development officer (BDO) Rabindra Kumar Satapathy said that he would take steps to provide ration cards to the siblings, but he expressed his inability to provide them a house.
PNN
