Release housing instalment funds, say flood-hit victims

Residents of Srivaikuntam town panchayat submitted a petition at the Thoothukudi district collectorate on Monday, urging the government to release the second phase of housing instalment funds for the beneficiaries, who lost their homes in 2023 floods.

The petition was submitted at the weekly grievance redressal meeting chaired by Thoothukudi district collector K. Elambahavath.

The petition stated, “On December 17, 2023, we lost our homes due to heavy rains and floods. The Tamil Nadu government has issued an order in 2024 to provide housing for those affected. Based on this, 49 houses were allocated in Srivaikuntam town panchayat region. After receiving the order, we started building our houses, however after a long struggle, the first installment was released after nearly one year.”

The residents stated that the construction was continued, believing that remaining instalments would be released continuously. “However the second instalment has still not been released. Due to this, we are unable to continue construction, have no houses to live in and are struggling to pay interest on our loans.”

Uchinimakalai Ramakrishnan, ward 13 councillor of Srivaikuntam town panchayat said, “Most of these people are daily wage labourers, differently abled and single women. They have set up thatched shelters and are residing in the same place, as they cannot afford for rented spaces.”

She added that a total of 49 houses were allocated across Srivaikuntam town panchayat, and none of them have received second instalment for the construction, even with some people receiving only Rs 50,000 during their first instalment.

She urged the authorities to take necessary action to release housing funds for the residents of Srivaikuntam town panchayat.