Bhadrak: Even as allegations are flying thick and fast that large-scale irregularities have scuttled proper execution of rural housing schemes, scores of poor people in Bhadrak district have been leading miserable life after they were left out of housing benefits.
Locals in Artung panchayat under Basudevpur block alleged that no housing benefit will be made available to eligible people unless they have right political affiliations and pay bribe.
Here is a glaring case of anomaly reported from Dasasahi where Rabindra Das and his wife have been living in a miserable condition in a shanty with a roof of tattered polythene sheets.
Das has no land of his own. Earlier, he used to eke out his living from daily wages. However, over last few months, he is not keeping well and can’t go out for work. His health has completely broken down while his wife is mentally challenged.
Now, arranging two square meals a day has been a difficult proposition for the poor couple when Das is almost sick to do any physical work. The couple lamented that most of the time they go to bed hungry.
Das said, ”I am tired of doing several rounds of the panchayt and block offices pleading for a housing unit, but my pleas have fallen on deaf ears.”
Though the names of the couple have found place in the socio-economic survey report, they have not been eligible to get a housing unit while many people ineligible to get such benefits are beneficiaries.
Now, only source of survival is their ration card with which they receive subsidized rice. He said that when he has nothing to eat, how he can repair his dilapidated house.
Asked about the matter, Goutam Sethi, the representative of Artung sarpanch, said Das’s name has been in the list for housing benefits. He will be provided with a house within two months, Sethis added.
PNN