A quest for roof over head

The Government has various schemes for the Scheduled Tribe, specifically the Koragas but unfortunately, the schemes are nor reaching them. This is evident by the plight of this one Koraga family living at Hosagadde in Sullia Town Panchayat limits.

Gopal and Sunanda, a Koraga couple has been living in one of the huts at Hosagadde. The hut has laterite stones neatly kept one over the other, which may fall off anytime. The family has arranged coconut fronds on the ceiling and to protect themselves during rainy season, they have covered tarpaulin over the thatched roof.

Even this tarpaulin has been torn and during rainy season the rain water seeps in dampening clothes and other commodities of the family members.

They have made a firewood stove (Ole) outside the house and cook daily food to avert fire mishap.
Sunanda has a baby and is expecting her second child soon but she says that the conditions in which she is living is not good for an expectant mother and the baby too.

“The politicians come only when the elections are approaching. We are fed up of narrating our story. Over the years we have spoken about our problems so many times that now, we are frustrated,” says Gopal who is thinking of making his wife stay in her mother’s home because the conditions there is much better than what he can afford to give.

Despite so many housing schemes for the Koragas with subsidies varying from 50 per cent to 100 per cent, this Koraga family is one among many waiting for justice.