Purun Debgond of Talakot Belpati Pada village in Sinapali block is one of the beneficiaries of Forest Right Act (FRA). He was allotted work order to construct a house under Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) in 2012-13.
As per an official instruction, Purun did the work as quick as possible and finished the construction in six months. He hoped that the fund would be released in time as assured, but he received only half of the sanctioned amount after much delay. “Over a year has elapsed, but I have not been paid the full amount of Rs45,000,” lamented Purun.
Anuradha Debgond of the same village has finished the construction of her house up to roof level. “I am the sole bread earner of my family. It would not be possible for me to complete the house without release of fund,” said Anuradha.
There are 1,482 beneficiaries of the scheme in the district and in most of the cases the fund was not released to the beneficiaries, although many of them have completed their construction.
The Central Government had allocated Rs718 lakh for the district in total to provide housing facility to 1,482 beneficiaries under the FRA. Out of the total allotment, the Central allocation was Rs539 lakh and the State share was Rs179 lakh. The first installment of Rs449 lakh was released in 2012-13 with a Central share of Rs269 lakh and the State share of Rs179 lakh.
“The delay in release of the balance amount of Rs269 lakh has caused a lot of problems for the beneficiaries. As the houses are made of clay mortar and the plastering of the wall is yet to be done, they are being damaged in heavy rain,” revealed the beneficiaries.
When asked about the apathy of the Government in releasing fund to the beneficiaries in time, Nuapada DRDA Pradeep Naik said, “We have been demanding release of the balance fund. We hope to get it soon.”