Poor family in trouble as Basava Housing Scheme cheque bounces

Mangalore Today News Network

Kaup, Sep 6, 2013 : A beneficiary of the Government’s Basava Housing scheme has been running from pillar to post since the past six months  for sanction of funds  under the project  after a cheque issued to him got bounced. This incident has been reported from Mallar.

Chongla Poojari, a poor  labourer who lived in a crumbling house with his blind wife Sarojini and daughter, had applied under the Basava Housing Scheme. His application was reviewed and he was even selected as a beneficiary.

As per the directive of the gram Panchayat he had even laid  the foundation for a new house after demolishing his old house.  The Panchayat had also sanctioned Rs 15000 as a first instalment. But he was in for a real shock when the  second installment cheque for Rs 20,000  issued on March 21 bounced.

The family which did not have a house had to face the inevitability of arranging for the marriage of its young daughter in a neighbouring house and had to spend the monsoon in a small hutment of tarpaulin sheets.

Chongla Poojari says the Panchayat has not taken any step to  pay him the amount. Meanwhile, the PDO of Mallar said it was an offence to issue a cheque when the account had no cash.  He also said it was just a month since he took charge  and assured to hold talks with the authorities concerned in order to ensure justice to the family of Chongla Poojari.