Bhadrak: Housing schemes are reportedly out of reach for many poor people at Balimeda panchayat under Basudevpur block in Bhadrak district due to alleged apathy of the administration.
The miserable condition in which the three families of Janaki Barik, Dasarathi Barik and Shantilata Barik have been living in their dilapidated houses is a pointer to ineffective implementation of the housing schemes.
The leaks in roof of their houses were either covered with worn-out sarees or tattered polythene sheets. They said they had been
deprived of housing units under Mo Kudia and Biju Pucca Ghar Yojna because their names did not find place in the social-economic survey report.
The only benefit they get is ration cards under NFSA. The BPL families eke out their living from daily waging, but they fail to earn enough to keep their pots boiling.
The family members said that they had visited the panchayat office and block office several time with complaints over housing, but all in vain. With the monsoon round the corner, they fear that their condition will worsen. Rainwater will leak from the roofs, said Shantilata Barik.
Sarpanch Prafulla Palita said that since their names were not in the social-economic survey report, they are deprived of housing. “The BDO, local MLA and a minister have been intimated about their problem,” the sarpanch said.
BDO Birakishore Panigrahi said that the collector has been apprised of the issue. “The collector can ensure them houses, if he wishes,” the BDO stated.
