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Differently-abled, victims of apathy
A group of disabled persons from Daasari Peta of Bheemunipatnam mandal submitted a letter to Collector Pravin Kumar during a grievance meet on Monday.
Visakhapatnam: A group of disabled persons from Daasari Peta of Bheemunipatnam mandal submitted a letter to Collector Pravin Kumar during a grievance meet on Monday.
The mandal and village-level officers’ apathy are taking a toll on the livelihood options of these differently-abled persons in Anandapuram and Bheemunipatnam mandals of Visakhapatnam district. The complaints include dilly-dallying over schemes implementation, official power abuse and lack of employment opportunities. But less of it is coming to limelight because they are powerless and voice-less.
Instead of gaining respect by rendering good services, a few mandal and village level bureaucrats instigated a reign of terror in the hapless differently-abled persons. Now, the fear-filled villagers have become tight-lipped to lodge a complaint over official power abuse to their higher-ups.
“How should we eke out our lives without anyone giving us work and mandal, village-level officers not responding to our repeated requests?” asked P Kanaka Maha Lakshmi, Vikalangula Hakkula Porata Samithi member from Anandapuram mandal.
“As works are not being given to lead a decent life, we are urging the authorities to provide differently-abled persons with Anthyodaya Anna Yojana Cards so that we can get 35 kg rice per family instead of 5 kg per month,” said DVSN Murthy, Community Development Organiser of Brighter Future. Another request put forward by the members was allotment of government barren land in Daasaripeta to homeless differently-abled persons.
When asked about why they didn’t complain about officials’ power abuse, they responded it would add more woes to their lives. Explaining in detail, Kanaka Maha Lakshmi said, “Even if we complain, we are unsure whether action would be taken against erring officers. Knowing that we have confronted the officer, he/she might act even tougher with this.”
In another case, blind person Ravada Somulu from Ramavaram village of Anandapuram mandal experienced worst power abuse. Six months ago, Rs 25,000 was given to Somulu from the Chief Minister Camp Office to construct a house on survey number 32 site besides getting a nod from the Collector.
Along with Somulu, even other villagers built foundations for the houses on the survey number 32 site. However, Village Revenue Officer Uma Mahesh gave orders for dismantling the foundation structure, which was followed. “I do not understand why the VRO razed only our structure leaving others who do not even have permissions or pattas. As I understand, this is nothing but domination on the powerless person,” lamented Somulu.
