Kolimati: Both the state and Central governments spend hugely on tribal development, but the welfare benefits, it appears, have not reached the tribal inhabitants of Kaduabahali in Anandapur block of this district.
The village, 7 km away from National Highway-20, presents a picture of neglect. The residents allege the administration has not taken note of their plight. Their miserable condition is visible from the dilapidated shanties they dwell in.
For instance, Daka Munda’s family of 17 resides in two shanties with no doors. In the absence of any means of livelihood, the family members have to struggle to arrange two square meals a day.
The winter has compounded their hardships as their door less shanties give them no protection from the biting cold.
Worse, the household doesn’t have a ration card while none of its members have job cards under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
Though the family members have taken up their plight with the block administration several times in the past, none has paid heed to their problems, contradictory to the government’s claim that it has been giving top priority to welfare of disadvantaged sections of the society.
“If the government is take welfare measures of tribals, then why are we deprived of housing, ration card and even drinking water facilities,” lamented Daka (61), who is the family head.
His family members – Jamuna (45), Shyam (36), Gumi (33), Kandira (5), Raghunath (3) Tunu (18), Raisari (15), Murkamuni (6), Jini (12), Mecha (10), Budhia (7), Jhumuri (6), Chandra (3) and Sini (2) find it too difficult to adjust themselves in the two dilapidated shanties. Due to financial constraints they are unable to carry repair work in the huts.
The villagers demanded that the government take immediate steps to provide necessary facilities to the deprived family.
Kolimati sarpanch Uttara Dhir said she was not aware of the tribal family’s condition. The household will be provided a housing unit under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and ration card under the National Food Security Act, the sarpanch added. PNN
