A tiny Dalit home in Gandhinagar area in Kolar grabbed the attention of the entire State on Gandhi Jayanti last year.
The then Deputy Commissioner D.K. Ravi visited the house with his wife Kusuma and partook food with the Dalit family in an effort to send the message against practice of untouchability and uphold the aspirations of Constitution as well as humanity.
Mr. Ravi had promised the poor family of providing shelter through City Municipal Council under appropriate housing scheme. Muniyamma, head of the family, one of her daughter and three grand daughters who lost their mother were residing in the tiny structure, which once housed an arrack shop.
Mr. Ravi had convinced the family about imminent demolition and assured rehabilitation.
As the structure was demolished a few days ago as part of road widening work, Muniyamma’s family was shifted to a dilapidated shed in the Fort Area of the town.
It may be noted here that a wailing Muniyamma had performed puja to the photograph of Mr. Ravi in front of her house following the latter’s mysterious death on March 16, 2015.
CMC president B.M. Mubarak, who accompanied Mr. Ravi during his visit to Muniyamma’s family, had assured that a house will be built for the family within three months to fulfil the aspirations of deceased IAS officer.
The demolition of the structure became inevitable as Rs. 12 lakh funds would have been lapsed had the road widening work not completed under KMRP scheme, Mr. Mubarak told The Hindu .
While Mr. Mubarak donated Rs. 10,000 from his personal pocket, CMC Commissioner Lakshminarayan donated a sum of Rs. 5,000 to the hapless family. They asked the family to use the amount for payment of rent till the house was constructed.
