Nikuti Tirkey, 75, could not even walk properly. Not because of her old age but due to the suffering and physical wear and tear leprosy has done to her. life is now taking even uglier turn for her and 70 other families affected with the eroding disease.
“In the name of clearing encroachment along Harmu river, the Government is uprooting the entire Nirmal Kustha Colony settled about 70 years ago near the Overbridge. Those 70 families are sheltering more than 150 old age and young people affected with leprosy. Now on September 10, they have been served notices to vacate the area and shift somewhere else. Where they would go when no one is willing to provide home even on rent,” says Merry Tirkey of Aradhana Samiti, who brought a host of ailing women in Janta Darbar before labour Minister Raj Paliwar on Wednesday.
One Rupa Korbat who depends on begging like most of the others said that they were settled here with the help of Government and also ‘one military babu’ helped them in erecting part time shanties way back. “Aab kahan jaibe hum log. Bhik to mangte hain. Koun jagah dega (Where will we go nowIJ We beg, no one will give us a shelter),” asks putting the onus on the system and the Government to take care of them and appeals to first settle them before erasing.
Appearing before the Minister with all documents and names of the lives in danger, the dilapidated herd appeared to be pleading before a doctor. “Kya problem hai aap logon kaIJ (What are your problems),” asked Paliwar before prescribing. He gave a patient listening to the aggrieved, directed his official aides to call the Ranchi DC, talked to him on phone, reiterated the ordeal to the DC and redirected the applicants to him but not before expressing anguish.
“Why few officials are deputed here for Janta DurbarIJ No landline phone is here! There are fault in the system and you cannot correct it then shut it down,” said the irritated labour and Employment Minister to the staffs present there. Just single staff of a Deputy Secretary level official was present to assist the Minister in getting connected with district level officials in order to resolve the issues coming at.
Similar prescriptions continued for a Mal Paharia boy who claimed that his service got ended abruptly by a company after four years of job. “No injustice would be done to you. If you have been unfairly treated your service would be restored,” assured Paliwar to Dinesh Pujhar of Chaibasa after talking to the DC. The primitive tribe boy would now meet the DC in person in the want of justice.
Moreover, significant number of cases also came in the Janta Durbar about forceful encroachments, not getting jobs, health issues and family disputes. A group of BSc forestry students from BAU also came with the request to create a job cadre for them in the State.
“A proposal regarding this was under consideration during Arjun Munda Government. We want that the students getting passed from here get jobs as Rangers etc so that their specific talent can be used. The Government is spending Rs25 lakh on every student which is going in drains,” said Swamvid Kumar of BSc final year before going to the Minister.
Nevertheless, the Minister also turned complainant in the end. “Officials are not prompt. Often DCs, SPs remain in any meeting when Janta Durbar is on. Here also, more number of officials should be deputed to coordinate with them quickly. It should be done otherwise the very purpose of Janta Durbar would be lost,” said Paliwar while reacting to media queries.