Rs 5.09 cr ITDP works for Koragas begin in DK

Construction of 33 houses going on under the project in the district

A sum of Rs 3.80 crore granted by the Central government and Rs 1.29 crore by the State government in the year 2008-09 was not utilised all these years due to the initial hic-ups that blocked the path of drafting the action plan.

Action plan

After the drafting and re-drafting, finally the approval of the action plan, the green signal was shown and the work has been started in different Koraga colonies in the district.

With the major part of the fund devoted for the construction of houses, over 200 houses will see the day’s light. Of the 1,088 Koraga families, as many as 73 poor families which were given two acres of land each, have been granted with Rs 1 lakh each for the house construction.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, ITDP Project Co-ordinator Dr Patalappa said the construction work of 33 houses has been started in Puttur, Bantwal and Mangalore taluk while the work of as many 18 houses has been already completed. Each house with two rooms, toilet, bathroom and a work shed has been constructed. A team consisting of the taluk-level officers would pay regular visits to the houses so as to inspect the work and check any misappropriation of funds. The money would be handed over on installment basis based on the amount of work done, directly to the house owner, unlike the prior projects where there were agencies to build the house, he said.

If 73 families have been given Rs 1 lakh each, as many as 138 families have been given Rs 40,000 each. The 138 houses with title deed for the land are given the above said money for the purpose of house repair. However, understanding the fact that allotting Rs 40,000 would not serve the purpose as the half repaired house will reach dilapidated condition once it is exposed to the heavy rainfall, the Koraga community members and the members of the NGOs are planning to request the district administration to allot an
additional sum of Rs 60,000 to the 138 families so that they too can build a new house.

Samagra Grameena Ashrama Field Co-ordinator Prakash said that in the meeting of the Deputy Commissioner, ITDP officers and Koraga community members which will be held this month end, the Koraga community members would urge the DC to allot extra funds to 138 families for building the new houses.  

ITDP Manager Hemachandra said, with the Central government allotting Rs 4.4 crore for the same project, the additional amount can be given to those families who are given Rs 40,000 now. Along with it, other families too will be included in the list so that there will be more number of beneficiaries, he informed.