Implement housing scheme for beedi workers: Union

Under RIHS workers can avail loan upto Rs 1.5 lakh

They submitted a memorandum to the Additional Deputy Commissioner S N Gangadharaiah  demanding the implementation of the Revised Integrated Housing Scheme (RIHS), on Saturday.

 In addition to exploitation by the owners, the workers are unable to avail themselves of the  various entitlements provided by the Central government. Apathy of the officials concerned is solely responsible for the plight of the beedi workers, accused the members.
The main objective of the RIHS is to address the shortage of housing among the beedi workers, to an extent. Under this scheme, beedi workers who own a site and whose monthly income is Rs 6,500, will be able  to avail of a loan upto Rs 1.5 lakh from the Beedi Workers Welfare Board.

Nearly, 40 per cent of the loan will be provided in the form of grant, explained the members of The Kolar Beedi Workers’ Welfare Society.

The State government has written to the Deputy Commissioner on April 28, 2008 and November 6, 2009 seeking the implementation of the Revised Integrated Housing Scheme. However, the scheme has not been implemented yet, the members observed.
The officials concerned have failed in identifying beedi workers, who are entitled to avail loan for housing under the Scheme. There are more than 500 poor beedi workers in Kolar City and surrounding rural areas.Several beedi workers have bought sites from their savings, however, a greater majority of these sites are revenue sites. The beedi workers will stand to benefit if these sites are converted into Ashraya sites and are provided with title deeds, they noted.

The District Administration should also consider allocating sites to those beedi workers who do not have sites. Munawar Baig and M Zafar, who own six acres of land at Jangama Gurjenahalli  near Arahalli are willing to sell the land at market price. The District Administration should direct the tahsildhar to hold talks with the land owners, said the members.

Deputy Commissioner who received the memorandum assured the members of The  Kolar Beedi Workers’ Welfare Society of taking appropriate action to address the housing problems of the poor beedi workers. Assistant Commissioner R S Peddapaiah, K V Suresh Kumar, Shamimunnisa, Anis Pasha and others were also present.