The Indira Awas Yojana is India’s flagship housing scheme for the rural poor. An undertaking of mammoth proportions, the scheme aims to ensure that each family living below the poverty line has the finances to put a roof over it’s head. The government has allocated Rs.17,000 crores to the entire effort.
In this video, Community Correspondent Dasharati Behera reports from Odisha on the problems faced by Janati Devgam and her family to secure a house under this scheme.
Living under a broken thatch roof house with their young son was proving very difficult for Janati and her husband. So when the village head assured them that a small ‘gift’ to him would get them their house, they jumped at the opportunity.
For most families getting access to funds to build houses under the Indira Awas Scheme, involves jumping through multiple loopholes- paperwork, bureaucratic delays, corruption, are just some. In many cases local authorities like village heads will siphon off some money the government gives to a family, or create obstacles when they don’t get their cut.
Having lost four thousand Rupees and 4 years, Janati and her family are still living in their hut which provides little protection from torrid monsoons and the bitter winter chill.
“It is the primary responsibility of the government to provide the rural poor and tribal families like Janati’s basic facilities like food, shelter and electricity. The Devgam’s have been failed by the administration and I would like you, the viewers to make sure their voices are heard”, says Dasharathi.
Call to Action: Please call Kushal Chandra Pradhan, the Block Development Officer on 09437976819 and ask him to ensure that the family gets the house promised to them.