Pernem, April 20, 2026:
A heart-wrenching case of neglect and hardship has emerged from Tuem village in Pernem taluka, where a widow, Gauri Govind Vetalkar from Katodwada, is struggling to survive with her two minor children amid extreme poverty and unsafe living conditions.

Gauri, who lost her husband two years ago, has been seeking government assistance for basic survival, including house repair, financial aid, and welfare schemes. However, she claims she has not received benefits under key schemes such as Dayanand Social Security (DSS) and the Griha Aadhar scheme, leaving her in a state of helplessness.

Living in a dilapidated ancestral house with her 8-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son, Gauri faces daily risks. The structure is in a dangerous condition, with visible cracks in the front wall, termite-infested doors and walls, and a bathroom without a roof. Rats frequently enter the house, damaging the kitchen and gallery, while monkeys have reportedly broken parts of the roof.

The family lacks even the most basic amenities. There is no proper bed, furniture, or household appliances. Cooking arrangements are dependent on her brother’s support, and there are days when the family survives on biscuits—or goes to sleep hungry.

Adding to her distress, the Public Works Department has reportedly disconnected the household water supply due to unpaid bills, worsening their living conditions.

Despite her efforts to apply for a house repair scheme, Gauri says she has been unable to complete the process due to documentation hurdles and lack of support, even alleging obstruction from family members. With limited education, she manages to earn barely ₹5,000 during seasonal work, which is insufficient to sustain her family.

Now under severe mental stress, Gauri has appealed to the government and Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar to intervene urgently. She has sought immediate assistance for house repairs, inclusion in DSS with ₹2,500 monthly support, waiver of water dues, and access to welfare schemes for her children.

The case highlights glaring gaps in the delivery of social welfare schemes and raises serious concerns about the condition of vulnerable families in rural Goa. Immediate intervention from authorities is crucial to prevent further deterioration of the family’s situation.