The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Eating less, saving nothing

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Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Eating less, saving nothing

K. Lakshmi

Slum dwellers find it impossible to cope with the soaring prices

Many of them say they have stopped eating at roadside eateries because of the price rise

Photo: M. Vedhan.

tough life For slum dwellers such as these at Nochikuppam, every day is a struggle to make ends meet.

Soaring food prices have severely impacted the lives of slum dwellers in Chennai.

A majority of the population in the slums works as domestic help, flower vendors and shop assistants. For them, inflation means eating less and saving nothing.

S. Saraswathy of Jothiammal Nagar, a slum in Saidapet, buys one kg of rice, the cheapest vegetables available and the minimum groceries to cook for the day. “My son earns Rs.50 daily from sales of water sachets in bus stands. It’s barely enough for two meals.”

Many of them say they have even stopped eating at roadside eateries where two ‘idlis’now cost Rs.5-Rs.7.

The difference between the earnings and the spending eats into savings in the form of jewellery. “I had to pawn the little jewellery I had to pay the house rent this month. I am going to work in a nearby company to support my family of five,” she says.

The names and occupations may differ, but the problem is the same: spending more than they earn.

Women in slum areas such as those near Aspiran Gardens at Kilpauk, Pudupet and Athma Nagar at Saidapet have all taken up jobs during their leisure hours. Kanmani of Athma Nagar says she sells flowers in whatever spare time she has to meet the extra expenses.

“Even the cheapest variety of rice costs Rs.16 now. I have cut down on the use of cooking oil by half.”

K. Ponni of Pudupet, a domestic help, compromises in other ways.

“I buy damaged vegetables as they are cheaper. If the children don’t get enough to eat, I go hungry.”

For S. Vellachi, a vegetable vendor at Koyambedu, turning to money-lenders is the only option. “I earn Rs.100-Rs.150 per day. I am unable to save for other expenses such as medical or family functions. So, I am forced to borrow money.”

However, some slum dwellers — such as M.Vasantha in Ashok Nagar — say the Public Distribution System ensures that their monthly expenses do not spiral out of control.

According to the State secretary of Unorganised Workers Federation, R.Leelavathi, there are about 1,500 slums in the with about 3.5 lakh people.

“A lot of the men in slums end up squandering most of their day’s earnings on liquor. Women have to work harder to cater to the family needs.”

The Federation has been asking the government to provide up to 30 kg of rice depending on the number of members in the family.

The government must also provide financial help for labourers who don’t find work in the monsoon, she says.

With the expenses mounting, many slum dwellers will soon be at the mercy of moneylenders and lose whatever little they have, she adds.

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