Hard-earned joy of a
grandfather
September month was a very happy moment for one grandfather
who had tirelessly fought the government system to own a land in his name.
Mr.Kanniapan is over 68 years old and looks after two grandchildren (a girl and
a boy @ class 7) both living with HIV. He makes his living by doing
iron-pressing business.
He had been living in the village near rasipuram Taluk
for more than 35 years and did not have a patta land on his own. He had put in
a hut measuring 3 ½ cents and requested for a patta. As per government guidelines,
people who fall below poverty line can own the piece of land for which they
have paid the land tax and have lived there for more than 15 years. Though the
law signifies it, availing the benefit was a tedious task. With the laying of
NH road very close to his house, the requisition process was delayed. Though
pressure was given from the district collectorate through the intervention from
Buds of Christ, the power of the local influential were greater.
But with much
persuasion and repeated petitions, the patta for the and was given in September. We at Buds of Christ are happy that we could work together
in ensuring their right over the property and also a permanent dwelling place
for the grandfather and the children.
