Lost eyesight; bank attaches house when family leaves for treatment; MLA opens confiscated house and retrieves certificate

KARUNAGAPPALLY: MLA CR Mahesh opened the lock of the house sealed by private banks and retrieved the certificates. Aswathy Animon of Azhikkal Panamoottil, who had lost her sight, was relieved by the MLA's intervention.

Aswathy's daughter's certificates and other documents were inside the house. She contacted the bank, but they refused to open the house. She then requested the MLA for help. The MLA summoned the bank officials yesterday and took the certificates and other documents. Then the house was locked and sealed again. Aswathy had taken a loan of Rs 18 lakh from Alappuzha-based finance company four years ago to buy a house and property. The term was 15 years. She repaid Rs 6.7 lakh within three years. By then, Aswathy had lost her sight.

Aswathy was undergoing treatment at an eye hospital in Tamil Nadu. Due to financial burdens, the repayment became arrears. The bank authorities issued a seizure notice. In the meantime, Aswathy, her husband Animon and their children went back to Tamil Nadu for treatment. The bankers locked and sealed the house on the 13th of last month. When the family returned home after treatment, there was no place to live.

Volunteer organizations in Azhikkal took the initiative and arranged accommodation for rent in Ochira. Aswathi's family consists of a baby, two daughters and her husband. The family lived on the meagre income they earned from Animon's fishing. The MLA said that steps will be taken to rehabilitate them.