Kottayam: Idukki district collector K. Jeevan Babu on Thursday visited the house of Joseph Thannikkotu, 76, who put up his kidney for sale to rebuild his flood-ravaged home.
The Vellathooval native had written the notice on what's remaining of his house seeking buyers. There are thirteen rooms in the house, and eight of them got collapsed in rains and landslides.
The collector assured him all possible assistance. "I told him that I didn't get any help from the panchayath or even the relief kit for flood victims," Mr Thannikkotu told DC. “He assured me necessary action.”
He and his wife Alice were living in the house in the 12th ward of the panchayath. He says he didn't get help as he couldn't bribe the authorities, and hence he put his kidney up for sale.
A mason by profession, he says it took 25 years for him and his wife, all alone, to build the house of a little more than 2000 square feet. They lived on renting out four bedrooms as they're too old to work after marrying off their two girl children.
But the heavy rains on August 15 spoiled everything. Though he sought the help of the panchayath and approached the district administration many times, no help came.
