by ALBERT FERNANDES

POINGUINNIM: Keri is a small hamlet situated on a hillock in Cotigao, Canacona. The village shares one of its borders with Karnataka state while the Salginim mines of Sanguem are on the other border of this hamlet. This village has about 12 residential houses consisting of 62 residents, all of whom belong to Schedule tribes. Being far away from residential areas and from the main town of Canacona, the villagers have been cut off from the rest of the taluka and are yet to see electricity in their vicinity. The villagers here struggle to make a living as they do not have a proper source of income. It is understood that some people from Nadkem ward of Cotigao used to undertake Kumeri cultivation on this hillock at Keri. With abundant water resources at the place, some elderly people started paddy cultivation and also started growing fruits and vegetables here. Gradually, families started migrating to this land and settled here. This is how Keri now has about 12 residential houses. Access to the hilly area is only by foot.

Last week, Canacona BDO Mr Manuel Barretto and some of his staff visited this place in order to take stock of the government schemes already passed on to some of the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families under the Indira Awas Yojana scheme. Under this scheme, four of the 12 houses here have been sanctioned for reconstruction. Each family gets a benefit of Rs 35,000 under the scheme. Mr Barretto informed that apart from the four sanctioned houses, another two proposals have been forwarded for sanction. Of these 12 houses, 10 have been registered as Below Poverty Line. Mr Barretto also informed that these BPL residents will soon get a big storage tank for storing water, and one solar lamp each.

When these villagers were asked if the paddy they cultivate in the village is enough for their sustenance, some of them said that it suffices them for 3-4 months after which they go for daily wage labour to some far away places and stay there for a while as everyday journey is very tiring.

When asked if they would be able to shift and settle to another location if the government gave them land elsewhere, some of them said, "We are ready provided the government provides us with land for residence." Every five years politicians visit once and give several assurances but after the polls are over, there are no signs of any development, they added.

After the stoppage of work at Salginim mines, youths of this hamlet today have no jobs and hence are seen migrating to far away places in search of work. Many of these youngsters are also seen working at Palolem in shacks and small hotels. Some press persons from Canacona including this reporter, who walked to Keri found these people to be very cooperative, friendly and kind. They feel so happy when someone visits them that the hospitality they provide is extraordinary.