Coimbatore: Despite the Government offering a helping hand for the 20 families in the tribal hamlet of Kandivazhi in Anaikatti to build their houses, lack of additional sponsoring has been a dampener for the tribals from having their dream fulfilled.
Coimbatore: Despite the Government offering a helping hand for the 20 families in the tribal hamlet of Kandivazhi in Anaikatti to build their houses, lack of additional sponsoring has been a dampener for the tribals from having their dream fulfilled.
While the authorities have agreed to offer a sum under the Green Houses Project of the State Government, the remaining amount required to construct a house has proved difficult for the tribesmen to pool in, considering the meagre income they earn.
A majority of the 80 people living in the hamlet are daily labourers working in brick kilns and construction sites nearby. Some of them rear goats to make a living.
A joint inspection was made by the District Collector, K Rajamani and officials from the District Rural Development Agency to assess the condition of the houses in the hamlet and it was decided to bring the hamlet under the housing scheme.
With the Government ready to offer Rs. 2.10 lakh each under the project, the tribal would need another Rs. 1 lakh to construct a single house of 300 sq.ft.
“Usually the sum offered by the Government is given in instalments directly to the bank account of the beneficiaries. They get to use Rs. 1.80 lakh for construction and Rs. 30,000 for setting up a solar panel. However, since the hamlet has already been fitted with electricity connection, the district administration has allowed them to use Rs. 2.10 lakhs for constructing the house,” said Joshua, G P N a social activist based in Anaikatti.
The 20 houses in the hamlet were earlier fitted with toilets under the Swacch Bharat Mission with the help of corporate sponsoring.
“These people cannot afford a sum of Rs. 1 lakh with their income. Corporate houses should come forward to help provide them shelter in a landscape dominated by wild animals,” he added.
The people of Kandivazhi live in houses constructed during the rule of former Chief Minister M G Ramachandran, under the Group Housing Scheme. Owing to time and varied climatic conditions, the roofs of all the houses have either worn off or completely broken down.
“People were forced to abandon their houses during the monsoon as the roofs were heavily damaged and leaking. Some of the houses have become uninhabitable,” said a resident.
If people are willing to contribute to the cause of these 20 families, they can do so through the District Collector by contacting his office.