Panchayat head's name on housing scheme list despite owning brick house, sparks village outrage

The inclusion of Gopal Hazra, the Panchayat head of Gangatikudi in Ketugram 2 Block, on the government housing scheme list has sparked controversy in the village. Despite owning a newly constructed brick house, Hazra’s name appears on the list of those eligible for housing under a government initiative aimed at providing permanent homes to low-income families. The scheme primarily targets people living in mud houses, and many local residents are questioning how Hazra qualifies for this assistance while numerous deserving families have been excluded.

The housing scheme, which was designed to assist rural families living in substandard conditions, has been met with dissatisfaction by villagers. Many daily wage workers and low-income families in the area, who live in mud houses, have voiced their frustration at being left off the list. Some residents allege that their names were not included despite their poor living conditions, while Hazra, who built a brick house two years ago, remains on the list. This has led to allegations of unfairness in the allocation process, with some locals calling it a “favoritism issue.”

Gopal Hazra, in his defense, clarified that the housing list was initially compiled in 2018, when he was still living in a mud house. He explained, “At that time, my name was included in the list.” Hazra further stated that two years ago, he demolished his mud house and built a permanent brick house. Following the construction, Hazra applied to have his name removed from the housing list. Hazra emphasized that his intention was to ensure that the houses go to families who are truly in need, and he made a formal request to the administration to update the list and exclude his name.

The controversy surrounding Hazra’s inclusion in the list has also drawn political reactions. BJP leaders have criticized the move, suggesting that Hazra’s request to have his name removed is an attempt to avoid scrutiny of potential corruption linked to the Panchayat’s handling of the housing distribution. They argued that Hazra’s actions could be seen as an attempt to create an illusion of transparency and fairness without addressing the root of the issue. Meanwhile, local opposition parties and political analysts are calling for a more thorough review of the list and the processes involved in allocating government housing. As the controversy unfolds, villagers continue to demand a transparent and equitable approach to the distribution of housing under the scheme.

In addition, it has been revealed that there are discrepancies in how some families’ eligibility was evaluated, with reports indicating that certain families with mud houses were either left off the list entirely or placed on a waiting list despite meeting the basic requirements. These concerns are adding to the growing dissatisfaction with the Panchayat’s role in the housing distribution process. Many villagers are now calling for a full investigation into the administration’s handling of the scheme to ensure that only those who truly need housing are benefiting.