Tong Ghar to be memory of the past

From A Correspondent

Agartala, March 2: A bamboo made house on a raised platform standing on bamboo poles symbolised the tribal life of Tripura since time immemorial. Mostly situated on the hill tops and locally known as Tong Ghar is probably going to be a memory of the past. The centrally funded scheme, if implemented, will replace these houses with more sustaible houses built with bricks and cements.

The Central government has already sanctioned necessary fund to replace 4546 such houses and assured that the project will continue till the last family gets the house with better facilities. The state government also took keen interest on the project and has already identified the beneficiary families. As per the project, the tribal families still practicing Jhum cultivation, specially belonging to Reang community, identified as the only primitive tribe in Tripura, are being given priority while selecting the beneficiaries.

Participating in a discussion on matter of public interest in the state assembly the rural development minister resh Jamatia said the bamboo made Tong Ghars sustain hardly for two to three years and becoming very costly for the owners. So the state government has made the project to give them more sustaible housing facilities and the Central government also approved the project.

However, the fund allocated for the project became a hurdle in implementation of the project. The Centre has allocated Rs 75,000 for each house which appears too idequate. The state government had requested to allocate Rs 1,30,000 for each house at par with the houses being given under the Prime Minister's Awas Yoja but it has failed to evoke response from the Centre. Under this circumstance the state government has decided to sanction an additiol Rs 25,000 for each house. At present the Tong Ghars are scattered on the hills. As per the new project they will be bringing together in regrouped villages where other modern facilities like health and education also will be provided. The minister said these regrouped villages will be located nearer to their present habitation where road connectivity and power facilities are available. Every family will get 95 days under MGNREGA for construction of their houses.