Gandha colony tribals living in penurious condition

Tribal people at Gandha colony in Somwarpet are living in a pathetic condition. They lack drinking water, and live in ramshackle houses. Despite various claims of development by panchayat bodies and the State Government, their status has not changed.

Majority of the colonies in the taluk are devoid of basic facilities including the title deeds, road and electricity connection.

The residents of Gandha colony still depend on left bank canal of Harangi. When the canal goes dry during summer, the residents walk for two kilometre to fetch a pot of water at Yadavanadu. The colony has 10 children, two puerperal women and one pregnant woman. The children in the colony fall sick very often.

Jenukurubara Muthappa said “the government had constructed six houses two years ago for name sake. However, the house is of poor quality. The rain water enters inside the house during monsoon. The houses might collapse at any time.”

The children in the colony still depend on kerosene lamp to read. “We do not even get two litres of kerosene in a month. The road leading to the colony is in pathetic condition. As we have to walk beside the canal, we fear the attack by wild elephants in the evening,” said students.

Taluk social welfare office Ramegowda said “a borewell has been dug in Gandhada colony. There was delay in electricity connection. The forest department is not cooperating to provide facilities to the tribal colony. The ZP CEO has directed forest department to cooperate to lay pipelines to supply water. The problems will be solved in the future.”