Differently abled man not on IRDP list

Rajiv Mahajan

Nurpur, August 23

Differently abled Bakshish (61), who resides in Nagrotu of the Harsar gram panchayat in Jawali subdivision and belongs to the Scheduled Castes category, has been running from pillar to post to avail benefits of government-sponsored schemes under the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP).

His name was in the gram panchayat’s IRDP list till February 2018. It was, thereafter, struck off from that list and added to the BPL list allegedly by the panchayat.

A visit to his home revealed that he lives with his 17-year-old son in a ‘kutcha’ room, which is on the verge of collapse. Their horse, too, is accommodated in the small space, especially when it rains. Apart from having a leg disability, Bakshish can’t see from his left eye.

The electricity supply to his house was snapped five years ago after he failed to pay his bill. He lights a kerosene lamp at night and is fearful of snakes that enter his room. Sometimes, he spends nights at a nearby temple to stay safe.

Bakshish, who has no means of livelihood, alleged that despite his distressing condition, the local gram panchayat had deprived him of various benefits. He alleged that the panchayat had incorporated the names of some well-off and undeserving persons in the IRDP and BPL lists. He said the state government should conduct a fair inquiry into the matter.

His neighbour Kusum Lata alleged that no government team had ever visited his house to conduct a survey for his inclusion in the IRDP list.

Another villager Manoj Kumar said Bakshish’s married daughter had purchased a horse for him as he was unable to do any labour work. He said the denial of benefits to Bakshish was unfortunate.

Harsar gram panchayat pradhan Des Raj admitted that Bakshish’s name was in the panchayat’s IRDP list till February 2018. He said as per the government’s new guidelines, he didn’t submit an affidavit supporting his low income certificate and was not present in his house when the government survey team visited his house. He said the panchayat’s gram sabha had recommended deletion of his name from the IRDP list and inclusion in the BPL list.