They wanted the Government to provide safer houses
Photo: M. Govarthan
Utmost concern: An unrepaired house of a Dalit at Singampettai Cheri. —
BHAVANI: “Have you come to repair my house,” is what Kaliamma asks as one enters Singampettai Cheri, a hamlet of 15 houses on the banks of River Cauvery.
Her utmost concern is about the house, the roof of which she says may fall anytime. “Concrete chips have fallen many times before,” she says and adds, “I am scared of sleeping inside the house.”
Rusted iron rods
Ceiling inside the house has fallen off at a few places to expose rusted iron rods. On the outside on the wall, the place where ceiling rests has developed cracks.
Opposite Kaliamma’s house is Palanisamy’s. His is no different from hers except that the place and measurements of the cracks are different.. The residents of the hamlet are Dalits working as labourers in neighbouring agricultural labourers. They have been residing in the houses for over a decade, ever since the Government constructed the houses under the group housing scheme for Dalits.
Mr. Palanisamy says the families have made representations to the local representatives and the district administration a few times in the past to no avail.
They demanded improved housing facilities. They say they want the Government to provide them safer houses.
Printer friendly
page Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
