Arunthathiyars throng Collectorate seeking free patta

Over 2,000 members belonging to the Arunthathiyar community from nine taluks in Madurai gathered at the Collectorate seeking free patta for their land, here on Monday.

Several women and men from Madurai West, East, North, South, Tirupparankundram, Vadipatti, Tirumangalam, Peraiyur and Usilampatti taluks said that they lived in ‘kutcha' houses without basic facilities. Makkal Viduthalai Kazhagam, one of the organisers of the large gathering, said it was the responsibility of the district administration to uplift these downtrodden people.

R. Arangaperulam, one of the organisers said that the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Housing for All by 2022 Scheme), applied to only those with pattas. They would receive amounts for construction of their houses after their land records are clear. “Here, most people do not have pattas. How will they reap the benefits?” he asked.

D. Annalakshmi, a resident of Mannadimangalam in Vadipatti taluk, said that their village suffered other plights too. They have not had any electrical connections or toilet facilities for several years now. “Our rented houses are cramped and barely have space to accommodate one family. As there is no toilet facility it becomes very difficult for adolescent girls and women, particularly during the monsoon season,” she said.

Areas like Vellankulam have no facilities, added R. Karpagam. “The nearest bus stop is a five kilometre walk. The bus to our village arrives only thrice a day. How will we see more of the world and send our daughters to college if there is no transport facility?” she asked.

The petitioners demanded that Village Administrative Officers (VAOs) determine lands for each of the families and assign them pattas at the earliest.