UDHAGAMANDALAM: At least 60 beneficiaries of the Kalaignar Kanavu Illam scheme, from several panchayats at Kotagiri, in the Nilgiris, held a silent protest in front of the panchayat union office on Monday. They demanded the release of the first instalment of the sanctioned amount for house construction under the scheme.
At least 278 houses have been sanctioned under this scheme in Kotagiri block alone. Many of these beneficiaries have been residing in temporary sheds or rented houses after their old huts were demolished to commence construction.
Protesters said they had started construction work two months ago, by borrowing loans as there has been an undue delay in release of the first instalment.
C Manogaran, ward member, Jakkanarai panchayat said, “Work orders were issued to 67 beneficiaries in our panchayat some three months ago. Some have laid the foundation while others have completed the houses till the lintel level, with the borrowed money. However, officials are yet to release the first instalment of 75,000. This silent protest is to bring this issue to the government’s attention.”
Dhandapani, one of the beneficiaries said, “It was the officials who urged us to commence construction work immediately and warned that they would otherwise cancel the work order. We are paying exorbitant interest to the lenders. This is our first silent protest to show our discontent.”
Meanwhile, K Sridharan, block development officer, Kotagiri told TOI, “The first instalment of the scheme will be disbursed in a weeks’ time.” The instalments are disbursed at four stages starting from foundation to completion.
Manogaran added that if the first instalment is not disbursed in a week the protesters will gherao the panchayat union office.
