Bowing to pressure from the residents of the villages, the authorities have dropped the process of allotting Aasare houses in navagramas in Siruguppa taluk by draw of lots. This decision was taken at a meeting held recently in Siruguppa town.
Doing away with the lottery system has come as a relief to the people as they preferred the ‘old order' that existed in the villages which allowed for neighbours being one of among their own community.
Majority of the people in the flood-affected villages were unanimous in their opinion that the ‘old order' would ensure harmony while the process of draw of lots would entail “mixing” of people of different communities.
In two new villages built at Matur and T.S. Kudlur, where the flood victims have already occupied the Aasare houses, beneficiaries by unwritten agreement, maintained the ‘divide' on their own. “Having our own people, who follow the same customs and traditions, as neighbours is the accepted practice. This was being followed for ages and there is nothing wrong as it helps in maintaining communal harmony,” Pompanna, member of a community said.
Endorsing his views, Rajesh, a Dalit, said the food culture, among other things, differed among the residents, and it would lead to embarrassment if the divide was not maintained.
Public opinion upheld
“During the meeting, a majority of the people stressed the need for the authorities to relocate the flood victims as per the village assets list, maintained in the register for each village. After a lot of discussion, public opinion was upheld,” R. Venkatesh, Assistant Commissioner told The Hindu .
This decision would be implemented while relocating eight flood affected villages — Sridhargadde, Chikka Ballari, Matur, T.S. Kudlur, Vannarahalli, Muddatnur, Gundiganur and Mylapur.
The Aasare houses will be handed over to them by G. Janardhan Reddy, Minister for Tourism, and in-charge Minister of the district, at a formal function to be held on June 25 and 26.
