Permanent housing still a distant dream for Haveri’s 900+ flood-hit families | Hubballi News
Haveri: More than 900 families in Haveri district are still without permanent housing since the devastating floods of 2019-20, as they continue to wait for govt assistance. These families endure harsh conditions in temporary accommodations. The previous BJP administration had pledged Rs 5 lakh per household for completely destroyed dwellings through the flood relief initiative.Under BS Yediyurappa’s leadership, a commitment of Rs 5 lakh per family was made via the flood victims’ relief programme for reconstructing fully damaged houses. The Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation was tasked with disbursing funds in stages.The majority of beneficiaries await full compensation, leaving their reconstruction efforts incomplete for four years. Of the 992 documented damaged houses with properly submitted relief applications, the system inexplicably ceased functioning after distributing initial payments of Rs 1.2 lakh to most recipients.More than 800 houses suffered damage in 2022-23, while earlier cases remain unresolved. Neither the affected residents nor local authorities have received clear explanations for the delayed compensation.Despite numerous communications from Haveri deputy commissioner to the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation’s managing director requesting relief restoration, including a detailed inspection report of 157 houses in Haveri constituency, officials remain unresponsive.The suspended rehabilitation funds have created considerable hardships. Many affected individuals have sought help from district authorities. Acknowledging the urgency, the DC contacted corporation officials on Sept 30, 2024, requesting relief reinstatement.Unable to provide flood rehabilitation scheme assistance, authorities suggested pursuing the Devaraj Arasu scheme on Oct 5, 2024. Victims continue waiting as neither scheme provides relief, with no clear guidance about housing provision under the Devaraj Arasu Housing scheme.On July 8, the housing department secretary issued seemingly contradictory instructions to the corporation’s managing director regarding surveying unblocked houses. While official correspondence continues for three years, affected families endure heavy rainfall in temporary shelters, having lost their permanent houses. “Our home was damaged in the heavy rains. To receive relief, we were told by the gram panchayat officials to build a new house up to the plinth level for a survey. Accordingly, we partially constructed a house. However, they say the relief funds we were supposed to receive are blocked. We are facing hardships living in a shed,” said one of the affected residents in Handiganur village, Kallaveeragouda Patil.Ravi Patil, gram panchayat member, said restricting damaged house reconstruction to four months instead of ten is unjust. “The flood victims remain displaced without proper housing. The authorities must promptly disburse the pending financial aid to support those affected,” he clarified.QUOTEWe have corresponded with the govt and are awaiting further instructions. Action will be taken accordingly—Vijay Mahantesh Danammanavar, Haveri DC
