At a time when the country was reeling under the effect of coronavirus, residents of a village in Upper Assam’s Jorhat district set an example of community responsibility on Friday.

After being allegedly neglected by authorities in providing benefits of government schemes to an elderly woman, residents, especially youths, of Timtimiya village, 8km from Jorhat town, came forward to rebuild her dilapidated house.

Niroda Gogoi, 63, widow of Krishna Kanta Gogoi, who lives with her step-daughter at Timtimiya under No. 52 South Charaibanhi gaon panchayat, has not benefited from government schemes. Though the gaon panchayats are implementing the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), the woman has not received any support under it.

Niroda told The Telegraph that though she had approached the gaon panchayat, they did not pay any heed. “As I have no child of my own to question the authorities, they never heeded my repeated requests. They only gave assurances but I never saw them fulfil them for the past several years,” she said.

President of socio-cultural organisation Sanskritik Shishu Bikash Kendra, Prafulla Gogoi, said the woman had been allegedly neglected by government departments though she was eligible to get benefit under the central housing scheme.

“So, finally the villagers, including the members of our organisation, decided to rebuild her house. However, we had to follow general regulations of lockdown, especially social distancing and using of masks at all times,” Gogoi said.

Social worker and class-I contractor Rajib Baruah said: “We have a responsibility to help any member of our locality in times of crisis. We think it was in the best interest to help in this way rather only giving relief materials during this lockdown period,” he added.

Gaon panchayat secretary Krishna Kanta Das said it was a serious irregularity that the woman had been deprived of benefit under the housing scheme because she was an eligible beneficiary.

“Since I joined three months back, I will look into the matter and will allot a house to her during the next allotment on top priority,” Das said.

“I am also ready to offer Rs 1,000 from my pocket to help in renovation of the house,” he added.

However, three-term elected president of the gaon panchayat, Gitika Saikia, could not be contacted for her comment.