An 80-year-old Mathura Hati of Urle village in Binka NAC in Subarnapur district has been living under a polythene sheet roof of a dilapidated hut.
The broken walls and black polythene sheet above supported by rickety poles in her shelter underscore her plight. Having lost all her family members, Hati lives alone. With no means of livelihood, she goes to bed on empty stomach most of the time, because arranging two square meals a day has been difficult for her. Availing a house under various housing schemes has become a day dream for her, even though she had unsuccessfully tried to get a house under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
"Whenever I get sick, I fail to do any work and have to go hungry," Hati bemoaned.
Upset over the administration’s apathy towards her, Hati even threw up her Aadhar and voter identity cards,deeming them useless. The officials were not available for their comments while Executive Officer of Binka NAC Dukhiram Nayak said he was unaware of Hati’s case.
"I will look into the matter and will ensure that Hati gets all benefits she is entitled to," added Nayak.
Locals in Urle village alleged that no housing benefit is made available to eligible people unless they have political affiliations and the ability to pay bribe. They demanded immediate steps for the rehabilitation of the old woman.