Living in half-built houses, Kodagu tribals wait for funds

MYSURU: Members of various tribal communities in Kodagu district are living in partially completed houses, awaiting release of money from the government to finish construction work. However, with months dragging into years, they have decided to write to chief minister BS Yediyurappa to draw his attention to the issue and ensure disbursal of the complete compensation.
Members of Jenu Kuruba community account for a sizeable percentage of the tribal population in Kodagu, as also those belonging to Yerava and Soliga communities.Members of these communities were evicted from their dwellings in the forests, and they have since been living in Virajpet and Somwarpet taluks in houses mostly made of mud and stones.
Under the Samagra Girijana Abhivrudhi Yojane, the state government undertook a project to construct homes for members of tribal communities. Each house was to be built at a cost of Rs 2 lakh and the money was to be credited to the bank accounts of tribals in four instalments. Most beneficiaries of the scheme are members of Jenu Kuruba and Yerava communities who work on coffee plantations in Kodagu. While they have received the first instalment – Rs 50,000 – after the foundation for their houses was laid, they are yet to receive money for the walls that have been built over them.
President of the Kodagu district unit of Karnataka Rajya Mula Adhivasigala Rakshana Vedike JK Prakash, who is a member of Jenu Kuruba community, told TOI, “Our houses are in a poor condition. We started construction only after the government assured us of ensuring payment under the scheme. Officials are refusing to release funds citing the pandemic. We have approached local leaders and tribal officers, but to no avail.”
He said around 500 people who were selected to receive funds under the scheme between 2012 and 2015 were living in houses that are yet to be completed. Owing to heavy rain that the district has been receiving in the past two years, people have had to live under tarpaulin sheets, which are serving the purpose of a roof.
The affected tribals have written to both Yediyurappa and former CM and opposition leader Siddaramaiah to direct officials concerned to disburse the pending amount. “We did not have the money to send the letter, but we pooled cash and sent it via speedpost,” Prakash added.