Karnataka CM offers hope to physically challenged woman

Chief minister DV Sadananda Gowday had an unlikely visitor after inaugurating the Citizens’ Charter centre in Jayanagar. Sumangala, a 54-year-old physically challenged woman, approached him to complain how the BBMP was making her run from pillar to post to reclaim her site, which has been usurped by goons.

Gowda listened to Sumangala patiently as she narrated how the officials’ indifference had left her in a lurch. She said she was allotted a site when she was 21 years old. She built a house, but a neighbour usurped it.

She said the BBMP is now demanding the original papers of the site. Sumangala told the officials that she had submitted the original paper to Bangalore North gram panchayat to get a loan, but nobody listened to her.

Further, Sumangala said the gram panchayat officials told her that termites had destroyed the land document she had submitted with them.  Sumangala said records now show that a person named Francis Raja owns the site, even as she continues to receive the BBMP’s notice to pay revenue for it.

“I am confused. Everyone seems to be involved in misguiding me and taking away the site allotted to me,” she lamented.

Sumangala said that for long, she earned her livelihood by running a phone booth and now Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled is taking care of her. After giving her a patient hearing, the CM said he would call her within two days and ensure that she gets justice. “I will see to it that you are happy,” he said.