Raisuan: Although the state and Central governments have been implementing housing schemes for the poor and the disadvantaged people, scores of people have been left out of the welfare programmes, thanks to the administrative apathy. A case in point is Parjanpur panchayat in Keonjhar.
According to reports, over 10,000 people live in the panchayat, but surprisingly only 87 have been provided houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in the last two years.
This year, only 40 people were provided houses. Helpless and homeless people are eligible for these schemes, but inadequate number of housing units has been allotted to the panchayat.
Many locals said that the administration is sensitising people about the various welfare schemes at the PEETHA programme and identifying the eligible beneficiaries for housing, ration cards and handing over work orders. But at the PEETHA programme, only one beneficiary has been chosen, they alleged.
Take the case of Kasirapatna village. Not a single person in the village has been provided housing unit under PMAY. Sarpanch Padmabati Majhi alleged that the block administration has been neglecting her panchayat in PMAY. Not a single Biju Pucca Ghar has been allotted to the village, she lamented, admitting that only one person was given a housing unit under PMAY at PEETHA programme.
Mayadhar Dehury, a daily wager of the same village, said, “I have no house for shelter. I have been worn out from frequenting the panchayat and block offices for a house, but to no avail.” Dehury lives in a dilapidated house while his wife and a kid stay at his in-law’s house.
Locals have demanded that the district administration should take immediate steps to provide housing units to the people who have been leading miserable lives without a proper shelter.
PNN