Tigiria: Among the three basic necessities required for survival, shelter is one of the most essential. Every individual dreams of having a solid roof over their head. Both the Central and State governments have implemented various schemes to provide permanent housing to eligible beneficiaries as a priority. Thousands of crores of rupees are spent annually from the central and state treasuries for this purpose.
However, in some areas, due to political interference or the inefficiency of the local administration, many eligible beneficiaries are deprived of the benefits of such government schemes. A glaring example is Buddhimati Barik (36), a resident of Bhiruda Talagada village under Bhiruda Panchayat of Tigiria block.
Buddhi has been 100% physically disabled since birth—she cannot hear or speak properly. Due to her complete disability, she has never married and is fully dependent on her family for survival. Her father, Lingaraj Barik, used to support the family through traditional means, but he is now aged and no longer able to work. As a result, the responsibility of supporting the family now lies with Buddhi’s two brothers.
Due to financial hardship, Buddhi has been living in a thatched house with her father for a long time. That house is now in a dilapidated condition and nearly collapsing. Currently, she has taken shelter with her brother. Buddhi had applied in hopes of receiving a pucca (permanent) house under the Antyodaya scheme.
However, when the second list of eligible beneficiaries from various panchayats under this year’s scheme was released by the local block office, Buddhi’s name was not included, leaving her deeply disappointed.
This is despite the fact that several ineligible individuals from her panchayat and other panchayats have found their names on the list. The exclusion of someone as genuinely eligible as Buddhi raises serious questions. She had earlier submitted a request to the local BDO for inclusion under the scheme, but to no avail.
Now disheartened, Buddhi wonders in whose interest this scheme is really being run if someone like her is being excluded. Hence, it is being strongly demanded by the public that the local administration immediately conduct an investigation and ensure that Buddhi’s name is included under the housing scheme.
