Raisuan: The government has been implementing a host of schemes for ensuring social security and poverty alleviation for the poor, but their benefits are beyond the reach of many in tribal-dominated Bansapal block of Keonjhar district.
Many people in this block have been leading lives of deprivation without getting benefits of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Indira Awas Yojana, ration cards and subsidised electricity.
Ramdas, a poor tribal of Digulisahi in Baradapal panchayat, is an example. His dilapidated shanty reflects his misery. Ramdas ekes out a living as a daily w age labourer, but his earnings are not enough for his family of seven.
MGNREGS, which aims at providing the poor an earning opportunity through labour-intensive work, has flopped here. “As our village is located in a hilly pocket it is difficult to get work,” Ramdas said.
Ramdas and his wife Budhuni Munda said, “We live in this ramshackle hut. When it rains, staying inside the house is difficult as the floor gets soaked with water. During the rains, we take shelter with neighbours.”
The couple said, “We have visited the panchayat and block offices several times in the past to apprise officials and public representatives of our need for a ration card and housing, but nothing has been done till now.”
Locals said that there were large scale irregularities in PMAY, Mo Kudia and IAY schemes in 2016-17 and 2017-18 with many rich persons of the area grabbing houses with the help of officials. But people like Ramdas who are eligible to get benefits have not got it.
They also pointed out that the family sometimes fails to get even two square meals a day and go to bed hungry.
Locals demanded that the district administration should conduct a probe into the irregularities in the housing schemes and provide housing units and ration cards to the poor like Ramdas.
PNN
