Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Dec 17: Pourakarmikas belonging to the Koraga community in Byndoor are facing difficulty in finding suitable rental accommodation as landlords have been refusing to let out their property on rent to people of the community.
At least 25 Pourakarmikas working in the Byndoor Town Panchayat are facing difficulty during the last two-three weeks in finding a rental house accommodation.
These workers had been transferred as recently as December 1 from Udupi CMC to Byndoor and have since reported for work. Initially, a few of them had found a house for rent. But, it has come to light that the landlords have made these workers homeless by throwing them out of their houses after coming to know of their caste.
Rakesh, a pourakarmika said as they were unable to find a house for rent they are now forced to spend Rs 100 daily on rail travel between Udupi and Byndoor. "If we have to report for duty in the morning we leave home at 3 am and start our journey. We keep the town clean and tidy. But, we are being refused rental accommodation," he said sadly.
Convenor of Koraga Sanghatane of Byndoor zone Lakshman expressed his ire that Koragas are being ill-treated which is a disgrace.
He said the district administration authorities should intervene and provide housing facilities to the Pourakarmikas. Byndoor does have PWD quarters which should be repaired and allotted to Pourakarmikas, he said.
Udupi Deputy Commissioner Dr Vidya Kumari said the administration will examine the availability of PWD quarters and allot suitable accommodation to the Pourakarmikas at the earliest.