Karkala: Elderly couple living in dilapidated hut since 40 years

Karkala: An elderly, childless couple are living in a dilapidated hut for the past forty years despite demanding for a house from officials and elected representatives.

The couple, Babu Shettigar (70) and Susheela (60), are living in Peralkatte in the taluk here.

The roof of their hut is damaged and hence is clad in tarpaulin for the past 5 years.

The couple possesses Aadhar card and ration card. They had applied 2 years ago under a housing scheme, however, nothing was known about the application.

The couple said that the authorities were sympathetic to them when they approached them, however, they did not make any decision to get them their own house.

There are no facilities for them other than old-age pension. They get 10 kilograms of rice and 1 kilogram of dal from the ration shop. They have to hire a rickshaw and spend Rs 100 to reach the ration shop 5 kilometres away.

Susheela’s health has deteriorated over the past few days and she has been bedridden. Her legs have thickened and filled with water. The doctor who examined her had said that she is suffering from kidney problems. Her eyesight has also weakened making her unable to do any work.

The walls of their old hut, built of mud, are cracked. Rats have burrowed under their hut where snakes and scorpions also gather.

Until recently, the couple earned as wage labourers. However, with old age, they are unable to do any work now as their bodies do not possess that strength.

Sridhar Gowda of the Bagar Hukum Sakrama Sakramikarna Samiti said that as the plot they are presently living is in a deemed forest it is creating problems to build a pukka house for them.