Bribes paid, promises broken: 80-year-old still awaits PMAY aid in Assam

Despite being poor and belonging to a Scheduled Caste community, Manglu Ram Das, a resident of Baripukhuri village under Ghilaguri Gaon Panchayat in Bongaigaon district, has been deprived of crucial government welfare schemes.

Manglu Ram Das was selected as a beneficiary under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in the financial year 2023. 

However, he alleges that he has not received a single rupee of the first installment amounting to Rs 32,500.

Fingers of suspicion have been pointed at the Panchayat President, ward members, and the Panchayat Secretary regarding the mishandling of funds. 

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Manglu also claimed that he had to pay around Rs 1,500 in bribes at different times to various Panchayat officials in order to secure the housing benefit.

Now aged over 80, Manglu Ram Das continues to live in a dilapidated house and survives with only Rs 250 per month under the old age pension scheme. 

With no access to any other welfare programs, he is forced to work as a daily-wage laborer to support his family even in his old age.

As Assam gears up for the upcoming Panchayat elections, many candidates are once again reaching out to simple and honest villagers like Manglu with promises of development and support.