Bangalore deputy mayor shocked by shoddy implementation of 22.75% scheme

Deputy mayor N Dayanand, who had visited a Nagarabhavi slum last week, on Monday stopped at the Devara Jeevanahalli slum.

He inspected the construction of houses under the 22.75% scheme for the development of scheduled castes and tribes. (Since 22.75% of the country’s population has been categorised as SC/ST, the Centre, state and local bodies have been instructed to set aside 22.75% of development funds for this group. The project has since been called 22.75% scheme.)

Corporator of the Devara Jeevanahalli ward, Sampath Raj, also accompanied the deputy mayor, along with other civic officials.

They stopped at Roshan Nagar, which houses 1,500 poor people. Dayanand expressed his displeasure that basic amenities like drinking water, electricity and toilets were not provided for poor families residing at Roshan Nagar.

“We have been living here for 27 years. We have not had these basic amenities all these years,” said Rajamma, a resident of the area, who appealed for proper toilets for women.

Taken aback by the poor living conditions, deputy mayor Dayanand instructed officials to construct toilets and provide borewells.

He said that money for the purpose could be drawn from his personal fund.

Dayanand also said that he would discuss the matter with the local MLA and corporator, as there was a need for concrete homes for people living in the area.

Officials accompanying the deputy mayor were also instructed to provide a regular water connection to houses.

He inspected the construction of houses under the 22.75% scheme, and found that of the 204 houses planned, only 24 were built.

There were 52 houses still under construction. The deputy mayor directed officials to make use of good quality material in construction, and get the homes ready as early as possible.

Health officials were directed to conduct fogging in the area to prevent mosquito-borne diseases, and also remove all silt from the drain flowing through the area.