Bhagalpur, Nov. 20: Mohammed Siraj (43), once a farm labourer in Jhakargar panchayat of Chattapur block in Supaul district, is leading a life of penury, thanks to the apathy of the state administration.

Flood relief funds have eluded him for the past three years but Siraj is not ready to give up. He is busy collecting money from his friends and relatives to go to chief minister Nitish Kumar’s janata darbar in Patna and plead his case.

Till three years ago, Shiraj had a regular means of livelihood to support his wife and two children. However, the devastating Kosi flood in August 2008 swept away his house and forced him to shift his family to Saharsa. He has no house, no money and is forced to spend the nights under the open sky. “I somehow managed to bear the summer and the monsoon but how do I save myself from the approaching winter without a roof?” he asked.

Following the Kosi tragedy, the government had announced a provision of Rs 1,525 for repair of each damaged house but many like Siraj are yet to receive the promised dole. “In the past three years, I have run from pillar to post, from the local block development officer to the divisional commissioner of Kosi division, but the result has been zero,” he said.

A visit to Nitish’s janata darbar to plead his case is his new mission.

Siraj’s actual ordeal began after his house was swept away. He alleged that the then mukhiya did not include his name in the list of the beneficiaries of the scheme.

In September, 2011, J.K. Rao, the Kosi divisional commissioner, recommended Siraj’s application to the Supaul additional collector for an inquiry. Last month, the additional collector again forwarded Siraj’s recommendation to the Triveniganj sub-divisional officer for an inquiry into the complaint. However, 90 residents of Jhakargar, whose houses were either swept away or damaged during the 2008 floods along with that of Siraj, are yet to receive any relief.

Shanker Jha, the Chatapur circle officer, said the government has already distributed adequate compensation among flood victims. “A list of 494 persons, whose houses were damaged in the floods, was prepared the second time. A total of 401 persons were provided Rs 1,525 each but the remaining 91 persons started demanding more amount for repairing their houses. The cheques were ready for the 91 persons but they did not receive it. A high-level inquiry was earlier conducted by a senior-ranking officer in the case,” Jha elaborated.

A district official, on condition of anonymity, admitted the demand of the flood victims are reasonable. “Their demands are genuine. How can they repair their damaged houses with such a paltry sum? But since it was the decision of the state government, we did not have any other option,” he said.

Mohammad Hanif, another victim, said, “Houses of many villagers were completely demolished. Most victims are labourers. How would it be possible for them to repair it with a government grant of only Rs 1,525?”