The plight of this elderly couple of Subarnapur district is a glaring example of how benefits of various poverty alleviation schemes have failed to reach the intended beneficiaries.
Sriram Chhatria and his wife Rambha Chhatria of Dubla village in Tarbha block have been deprived of all Government benefits. Though they possess Aadhaar and voter identity cards, these have been of little use.
While drinking water, old age pension, electricity supply and other Government facilities remain a distant dream for the elderly couple, benefits of Biju Pakka Ghar and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana continues to elude them.
The couple lives in a thatched hut which is in a dilapidated condition. While the walls have developed cracks, last year’s rainfall has made the structure weak. A tarpaulin sheet serves as the roof of their humble abode which ironically is located 7 km away from Tarbha block headquarters.
Chhatria has been living with his wife for the last 20 years in this hut .The only valuable assets that the couple possesses include a few utensils, an old box and a plastic mat.
Chhatria alleged that the village representatives, including the ward member, who lives only some meters away from his hut, and the Sarpanch, have turned a blind eye to their plight. He said he had approached the authorities at the block and district offices but in vain.
“I had requested the elected representatives and district officials for a house, but I have received nothing from them,” he lamented.
For sustenance, Sriram works as a daily wager. “Due to old age, I am not able to do hard labour. Sometimes, we are unable to arrange two square meals per day. This apart, being a SC does yield any relief as local people are reluctant to offer work at their homes,” Chhatria said.
When contacted, BDO Nihar Ranjan Kaahnr said, “We have no special grant for Biju Pakka Ghar. But we will definitely include them in the scheme in the coming financial year.”