KORAPUT: Toilets being used by cheated beneficiaries as homes has been witnessed along the length and breadth of the state. Close on the heels of a Sundargarh man doubling up his toilet as home, another such case has been reported from the tribal heartland of
Malkangiri.
Duped by a middleman while constructing a house under the
Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), 60-year-old Ghasiram Pangi of
Kumbharguda village under Podia block in Malkangiri district now lives in a 4ftx5ft toilet which was allotted to him under the Swachh Bharat Yojana in 2015-16.
A bachelor, Ghasiram stays just 500 metres from the block headquarters in a precarious condition.
Ghasiram said while he was staying in his hut, he was allotted a house under the IAY in 2009-10. But unaware of the official procedure, he had sought the help of a middleman for the construction of the home and withdrawal of sanctioned money from the bank.
After the foundation for the house was laid, the work didn't progress. "When I enquired at the block office, I was told that the entire sanctioned amount has been withdrawn from the bank and the middleman didn't give any satisfactory answer. Left with no option, I continued to live in my dilapidated hut," said Ghasiram.
Though in the past several years, Ghasiram approached the panchayat and block officials to help him complete his incomplete house under the IAY, but in vain.
However, in 2015-16, as a ray of hope, a toilet, was sanctioned to him under Swachh Bharat.
"After the construction of the toilet, I shifted to it with my belongings as the hut was severely damaged and I had no money to repair it. Living in the 6-ft tall toilet is difficult, but I have been managing as I don't have any other option. At least, I feel safe in the toilet during summer and monsoon rather than staying in the leaking dilapidated hut," he said.
"The matter has come to my notice and it will be inquired soon," said
Dharanidhar Nayak, block development officer (BDO), Podia. Houses under IAY are sanctioned by BDOs. Ghasiram, who used to be a daily wage labour, now solely depends on the old-age pension.
When contacted, collector (Malkangiri)
Manish Agarwal expressed his ignorance about the issue but assured to look into it.
"I will verify the matter and necessary action will be taken," the collector said.
