Hazaribag Housing Scheme Delays Leave Villagers Vulnerable to Elephant Attacks
In Hazaribag's Churchu block, a critical gap between policy and implementation has left rural families dangerously exposed to elephant attacks, despite the sanctioning of hundreds of houses under government housing schemes over the past two financial years. The recent deaths of eight people in elephant raids since Friday have starkly highlighted this vulnerability, sharpening focus on the proper execution of initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) and the state's Abua Awas Yojana, both of which promise pucca houses to the rural poor.
Sanctioned Houses vs. Ground Reality
According to block officials, a total of 839 houses have been sanctioned under the PMAY-G and Abua Awas Yojana in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 financial years. Specifically, 374 houses were approved in 2023-24 and 465 in 2024-25. However, on the ground, many beneficiaries in villages prone to elephant attacks continue to reside in fragile kutcha structures that offer little to no resistance during jumbo raids. Block Development Officer Lalit Ram acknowledged the issue, stating, "I will look into the files and clear all pending applications for the houses soon," and adding that he would review the reasons behind the implementation delays.
Root Causes of Delays and Vulnerabilities
Villagers report that despite approvals, most houses in affected hamlets remain kutcha due to various hurdles:
- Some beneficiaries have allegedly received only the first instalment of funds.
- Construction delays are attributed to land verification issues, procedural bottlenecks, and rising material costs.
- In several cases, work has not commenced even after sanctions were issued.
A local resident lamented, "The mud walls collapse the moment a herd pushes against them. If these were pucca houses, lives could have been saved." This sentiment underscores the life-threatening consequences of the delays, as the recent fatalities involved victims living in mud structures that failed to protect them from elephant attacks.
Urgent Calls for Action and Review
The tragic incidents have intensified calls for a thorough review and expedited action on rural housing schemes. The implementation gaps not only undermine the goals of PMAY-G and Abua Awas Yojana but also expose communities to preventable risks. Authorities must address the systemic issues—such as funding disbursement, administrative procedures, and cost escalations—to ensure that sanctioned houses are built promptly and provide the intended safety for vulnerable populations in elephant-prone areas.
