Articles by Rithika Vivek

Rithika is an intern at Okapi Research & Advisory, a group working on socio-ecological challenges faced by cities. She holds a master's degree in Development Studies from Azim Premji University, and is driven by questions on what it means to live in urban India. Her interests lie particularly in housing and the politics of infrastructure. You can reach her at rithika.vivek22_dev@apu.edu.in.

"I haven't got my pension for four years. I don’t know why," says Jayanti, a woman with disabilities resettled at the Perumbakkam housing board site. Jayanti, originally from Thousand Lights, was evicted in 2017. Shortly after relocation, she stopped receiving her pension. With limited livelihood opportunities due to her disability and the loss of her husband, she is entirely dependent on the ₹1,500 from the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). The NSAP is a Central government-sponsored, non-contributory, income transfer scheme implemented by the Tamil Nadu Department of Revenue. It provides basic monetary support to the elderly, widowed, and persons with…

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