Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Dec 28: A house sanctioned under housing scheme of the government, 'Indira Awaas Yojana', has been converted into a cattle shed by the family members of the beneficiary. They have driven out the beneficiary, Vanaja Shedti, from the home. Vanaja Shedti (61) from Arebailu in Kannukere, Tekkatte in the taluk is the affected person.

The said house had been sanctioned to Vanaja in 2010-11.  After the construction was completed, her own family members drove her out of her house, broke down the wall of the house, and converted it into a cattle shed. Officials are aware of it, but  have chosen to remain silent.

Vanaja Shedti happens to be a member of the joint family, and her mother had issued permission letter for her to build a house in family property. Grant for the house had been released in the name of Vanaja Shedti through cheques. Vanaja's husband had died 26 years back, and her daughter, who is married, lives at Bengaluru. It is gathered that Vanaja was sent out of her home by her own mother and daughter.

After Vanaja approached assistant commissioner (AC) here, the official, Shilpa Nag,  referred the case to Human Rights Protection Foundation.  President of the foundation, Ravindranath Shanbhag, fought the  issue legally and procured order stating that the daughter has to look after her mother and to allow the mother to live with her. The assistant commissioner however, returned the order, duly noting that she does not have the right to evict people living in the house. Shanbhag went to court against this remark, and the court ruled that the AC has the right to do so. Vanaja Shetty, who went to execute the order, was beaten up, but no complaint was registered in Kota station. Even after the deputy commissioner ordered legal action against the guilty, it did not get any response. At last, a case was registered but the officials did not implement this order.

It is said that political powers who get 15 votes if they oppose Vanaja, have been acting as stumbling block in the implementation of this order. The family has not only diverted the purpose for which the building was constructed, but also driven away the legitimate owner of the property. Locals say that a people's reprsentative has been coming in the way of Vanaja in this case.

While the assitant commissioner, Shilpa Nag, said that statements of the concerned have been obtained, she said she would discuss with Shanbhag about the provision to evict the house. Deputy commissioner of the district, Priyanka Mary Francis, said that she has instructed the concerned to take steps as per law.