Jhumpura: The housing programme under the Biju Puca Ghar Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana remained out of bounds for many poor and homeless people in tribal-dominated Jhumpura block of Keonjhar due to alleged irregularities.
According to reports, scores of people live in shanties. Years roll on, but their cases remain unnoticed by the administration. Many alleged that they failed to pay to the people’s representatives even as their applications buried under files in block offices for years.
60-year old Jagannath Bentakar, a resident of Sarapasi village in Gumura panchayat, is a case in point. He was left helpless in his dilapidated house. He was found sitting on his verandah. He survives on the offerings of the co-villagers.
Jagannath says, “I get old age pension. Earlier, I used to get 25 kg of subsidized rice per month. Now, his quota has been reduced to 5 kg. This house is almost on the verge of collapse and I am unable to repair it.”
He added that he had applied for a house thrice, but it has not been made available to him.
Panchayat executive officer Srinibas Prusty said since he has joined here recently, he is unaware of the list of beneficiaries for housing. Jagannath has been allotted a house which will be built soon, he assured. PNN
