Sriperumbudur/Kanchipuram- After more than 1,000 days of delays and unfulfilled promises, the long-pending housing project for 77 Irula tribal families in Sriperumbudur has finally gained momentum. A crucial meeting on March 5, at the Block Development Office of Sriperumbudur Block brought together district officials and community representatives to assess the progress.

This breakthrough comes in the wake of The Mooknayak’s investigative report, “Is a House Asking Too Much? — Irula Adivasi Families in Tamil Nadu’s Silk District Fight for a Roof Over Their Heads,” published on February 19, 2025.

The report exposed the dire conditions faced by the Irula families, who were granted pattas (land titles) in 2021 and 2022 but were still waiting for homes to be built. With only three houses completed out of 77, and construction stalled for the majority, the report triggered a wave of public pressure, forcing authorities to act.

The Irula, also known as Iruliga, are a Tamil ethnic group primarily residing in Tamil Nadu, with smaller populations in Kerala and Karnataka.

Recognized as a Scheduled Tribe, their estimated population is around 200,000, with 189,621 in Tamil Nadu, 23,721 in Kerala, and 10,259 in Karnataka.

A Step Towards Resolution

The meeting was led by the Project Director of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) of Kanchipuram District, Aarthy, who provided updates on the progress of the housing scheme. Representatives from the Sriperumbudur Irular People Welfare Association, including its President Kavitha Thandhoni, along with Harikumar, Director of the Downtrodden Empowerment Wing of ARAN Voluntary Organization, participated in the discussions.

Aarthy assured the community leaders that the construction work had officially commenced and would be completed by May 2025. The urgency behind this timeline is driven by the upcoming academic year, beginning in June 2025, which will require children from the Irula community to be relocated to new schools closer to their newly awarded patta lands.

The Mooknayak’s Role in Amplifying the Issue

The breakthrough comes after The Mooknayak’s first investigative report was published on February 19. This report shed light on the plight of 77 Irula families who had been granted pattas (land titles) in 2021 and 2022 across different villages in Sriperumbudur Taluk but were still struggling to secure proper housing.

According to Kavitha, “As a result of our persistent efforts, 51 Irula tribal families residing in Sivanthangal, Sriperumbudur Chinna Yerikkarai, and Sriperumbudur Periya Yerikkarai were granted pattas on November 16, 2021, in Katrambakkam Village. Similarly, 26 Irula families from Chellaperumal Nagar received pattas on April 4, 2022, in Mannur Village.”

However, despite over 1,000 days passing since these pattas were issued, only three houses had been constructed and handed over, while 19 remained incomplete. For the remaining 55 families, construction had not even begun. The Mooknayak’s report sparked widespread outrage and galvanized action from various quarters.

Government Ensures Full Funding Through CSR

The Mooknayak highlighted the issue that the Tamil Nadu government had allocated houses under the Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam scheme, which set the cost of a single house at Rs. 5.62 lakh—of which Rs. 3.50 lakh was the state's share—while requiring the beneficiaries to contribute Rs. 2.12 lakh per house.

This financial burden was beyond the means of the economically vulnerable Irula families. Following extensive media coverage and persistent advocacy, during the March 5 meeting, the Project Director assured the representatives that the entire funding would be arranged through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions, ensuring that the families would not have to bear any financial burden.

A Wave of Solidarity and Government Action

Following the February 19 report, The Mooknayak’s coverage reached key policymakers and activists, leading to increased pressure on the Tamil Nadu state government.

One significant intervention came from S. Vengatesan, a volunteer from the Neelam Cultural Centre, who contacted ARAN Voluntary Organization to discuss ways to expedite the housing project. Irulas, classified among India’s 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG), have a considerable presence in northern Tamil Nadu. Their struggle for housing was exacerbated by bureaucratic delays, lack of funding, and the absence of basic infrastructure such as water, electricity, and roads.

As public outcry grew, authorities had no choice but to act. The reports were widely circulated among government officials, forcing them to take immediate steps.

The March 5 meeting resulted in a concrete assurance from Project Director of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) Aarthy that the housing construction, which had been stalled for months, was now back on track and would be completed in the next two months under CSR funding.

A Community’s Victory, But Vigilance is Key

Suryamohan K., a volunteer at ARAN, credited The Mooknayak for keeping the issue in the spotlight: “The project had been in limbo for months. The authorities had been making vague promises, but it was only after the reports were published that real progress happened. We ensured that the story reached the right people, and finally, the state government had to take action. It is a major victory for the Irula families.”

While this development marks a significant step forward, community members remain cautious. They are now urging the district administration to provide a precise timeline for the completion of all houses. The families hope that by May 2025, they will finally have a safe and secure place to call home, ensuring a better future for their children.

The Mooknayak will continue to monitor the progress and hold authorities accountable until every Irula family receives the housing they were promised.