Wayanad Rehabilitation: Draw for 178 houses completed

WAYANAD: The drawing of lots for the 178 houses to be provided in the first phase in the township for the rehabilitation of the victims of the Mundakai-Churalmala landslide has been completed. The draw was made by the beneficiaries themselves in the presence of public representatives, political party workers and officials at the Meppadi MSA Auditorium.

The drawing of lots was conducted by depositing papers mentioning the zone, cluster, and plot number in a box. The houses won in the draw will be given to the respective beneficiaries. The order granting the patta of the houses and seven cents of land handed over in the first phase was presented to the beneficiaries. A special counter was also set up at the event for the procedures regarding providing electricity, drinking water, ration cards and house ownership documents. The government will pay the three-month amount for electricity and drinking water connections. After that, the connections will be transferred to the names of the beneficiaries. A certificate for the same was also handed over.

Ashraf drew the first lot: Zone 1, House No. 104

Zone One, House No. 104. Chooralmala native Punchili Ashraf held the drawn paper to his chest. It was the first step towards moving from the painful memories of a lifetime's savings of a two-story house and a business establishment washed away in a landslide. Ashraf drew the first lot for houses in the township built by the government in Kalpetta Elston Estate for the rehabilitation of Wayanad landslide victims.

The drawing of lots was for 178 houses to be given in the first phase. Ashraf's 'Famous Store' supermarket, which was the largest business establishment in Chooralmala, and his two-storey house on the new village road were destroyed in the landslide. Ashraf, his wife and three children survived. They have been living in a rented house for a year and a half. The rent is ten thousand rupees. The government pays six thousand rupees. Ashraf said that it is a great thing that the government has allotted a house near Kalpetta town.

"The government kept me and my family close after we lost everything in the disaster. I don't know how to thank the government for this care. When I got the house in the draw, I didn't know whether to be happy or sad." - Ashraf