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Around 60 beneficiaries of the Kalaignar Kanavu Illam housing scheme in Kotagiri, Nilgiris, staged a silent protest demanding the immediate release of the first instalment of INR 75,000 for constructing their homes. Many have started construction using loans due to delays in fund disbursement, with some progressing to the lintel level. Officials had urged beneficiaries to begin construction to avoid cancellation of work orders, intensifying financial strain. Block Development Officer K Sridharan assured the protesters that funds would be released within a week, failing which they plan to escalate their demands. The protest highlights the need for efficient implementation of welfare schemes.
Around 60 beneficiaries of the Kalaignar Kanavu Illam housing scheme from several panchayats in Kotagiri, Nilgiris, staged a silent protest outside the panchayat union office. They were demanding the immediate release of the first instalment of the sanctioned funds for the construction of their homes under the scheme. Advertisement
The scheme has sanctioned a total of 278 houses in the Kotagiri block alone. Many beneficiaries have been living in temporary shelters or rented accommodations after their old homes were demolished to make way for new construction. Protesters stated that they had begun construction work two months ago, taking out loans to fund the process due to the significant delay in receiving the first instalment.
C Manogaran, a ward member from Jakkanarai panchayat, explained that work orders were issued to 67 beneficiaries in their panchayat approximately three months ago. He noted that some had already laid the foundation for their homes, while others had progressed to the lintel level, using funds borrowed from lenders. Despite this, the first instalment of INR 75,000, which had been promised, has not been released yet. He added that the purpose of their silent protest was to bring attention to the matter and urge the government to act swiftly.
One of the beneficiaries shared that it was the officials who had encouraged them to begin construction work immediately, warning that failure to do so would result in the cancellation of the work order. He further stated that the protesters were paying exorbitant interest rates on the loans they had taken. This protest, he explained, was their first attempt to express their dissatisfaction with the delay.
In response to the protest, K Sridharan, the Block Development Officer of Kotagiri, assured that the first instalment would be disbursed within a week. He explained that the payments under the scheme are released in four stages, starting from the foundation phase and continuing through to the completion of the house. C Manogaran also mentioned that if the first instalment is not released within the promised week, the protesters would organise a gherao of the panchayat union office to escalate their demands.
The protesters' demand for swift action highlights the need for greater efficiency in the implementation of welfare projects to ensure timely support for low-income families.
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