Tamil Nadu - Cuddalore   

Irulas, Dalits also to get permanent houses

Special Correspondent

Number of houses being built for tsunami-hit gone up from 2,322 to 4,001

CUDDALORE: With the tsunami anniversary hardly a week away, the victims are bracing themselves up to carry on their routine. The tragedy has brought the fishermen community into the mainstream and cemented their relationship with people from other walks of life.

The offshoot of the December 26, 2004 tsunami is the excellent rapport established between the Government and the non-governmental organisations. It is not only the members of the fishing community, but also the Irula tribals and the Dalits have benefited from this public-private partnership.

Collector Gagandeep Singh Bedi told The Hindu that as per the original estimate tidal waves razed 2,322 houses in 31 coastal villages to the ground.

But there were hundreds of Irula and Dalit families living in the fringes who had suffered losses and their livelihood.

The Irulas catch fish and crabs by hand, because they do not have the means to buy boats and nets.

The Dalits on the other hand work as errand boys of fishermen who owned boats.

Following representations by the Iruals and Dalits to improve their living conditions, Mr. Bedi had recommended to the State Government the construction of permanent houses for them also. This was granted. It had been decided to construct 1,679 more permanent houses — 300 houses each for the Irulas and the Dalits, and the remaining for those living below the poverty line at M.G.R. Nagar and Kalaignar Nagar in Mudasalodai, Ponanthittu, Pudupettai and Kethankuppam.

The number of houses being built for the tsunami affected people has gone up from 2,322 to 4,001.

Of these, 342 houses in seven villages had already been completed and handed over to the beneficiaries, and another 1,000 houses would be ready by Pongal festival. For the Irulas and Dalits, 13 houses had been completed and the remaining are at various stages of construction.

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