Housing – Elderly Woman in Mayurbhanj Awaits Shelter Support
Housing – A 70-year-old woman has spent more than a decade living under a fragile plastic sheet structure on the outskirts of a village in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, close to forest land near the Similipal region. Raibari Bindhani’s temporary shelter stands by the roadside, exposed to harsh weather and wildlife, reflecting the difficult circumstances she has endured for years.
Years Without a Permanent Roof
Bindhani recalls that she once lived in a concrete home with her family. However, following the death of her parents nearly ten years ago, she left the village for work. When she returned, she discovered that the house had been sold, leaving her without a place to stay. Since then, she has been forced to reside in a makeshift dwelling covered with polythene sheets.
She walks regularly to the local panchayat office to collect a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 along with 5 kilograms of rice provided through government support. According to her, this modest assistance is currently her only reliable source of sustenance. Earlier, she survived by cutting firewood from nearby areas and selling it to buy food.
Daily Struggles for Survival
Life near the forest brings constant uncertainty. Bindhani says she often spots snakes and bears around her shelter. On some occasions, elephants pass through the area to feed on nearby paddy fields before returning to the forest. Despite these risks, she has no alternative accommodation.
She explains that the small quantity of rice she receives lasts for some time because she eats sparingly—just a few handfuls of cooked rice each day. There are days when she depends entirely on the allowance to purchase additional food. With no permanent shelter and limited income, her situation remains precarious.
Bindhani has stated that she sought assistance in the past but did not receive housing support at that time. She continues to hope for stable accommodation that would offer safety and dignity in her later years.
District Administration Responds
The issue has now drawn attention from district authorities. Netrananda Mallick, Additional District Magistrate of Mayurbhanj, said officials would examine Bindhani’s case to determine her eligibility under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, a central government scheme aimed at providing housing to economically weaker rural households.
Mallick explained that the concerned Block Development Officer will verify her current living conditions. If she qualifies under the scheme guidelines, approximately four decimals of land—around 0.04 acres—would be allotted to her, and a house would be constructed either under the central housing program or through a state initiative.
Housing Scheme and Next Steps
Under the rural housing scheme, beneficiaries who meet the required criteria are provided financial assistance to build permanent homes within a specified timeline. Officials indicated that once the verification process is completed and her name is confirmed on the eligible list, steps would be taken to arrange land allocation and begin construction.
The administration has assured that the matter will be addressed promptly following field verification. For Bindhani, such intervention could mark a turning point after years of hardship.
Her story highlights the continuing challenges faced by vulnerable elderly residents in remote areas and the importance of timely implementation of welfare schemes. As officials begin their assessment, local residents and authorities alike await a resolution that could provide her with the secure shelter she has long sought.