Jajpur/Sukinda: Nagada village in Jajpur district had a picture replay at Purunapani village less than one km from the block headquarters here in Jajpur district as over 20 kids of the village were found affected by malnutrition with scores of villagers suffering from skin diseases.
The village inhabited by 65 families of tribal Munda community is a hamlet in Kanchichuan revenue village under Sukindagarh panchayat of the block. The problem may be due to the custom of early marriage in the community that results in birth of babies afflicted by malnutrition.
The village paints a picture of neglect and deprivation as development has taken a backseat in the area. Education and healthcare are dreams for people in this village.
Nothing has changed in the village with advancement of times as pregnant women prefer delivery at home to getting admitted to hospitals. Even though there is no record with the government to substantiate the claims, maternal and infant mortalities remain a cause of concern for the villagers here.
Elderly men and women are no better than the younger lot as they continue to suffer from various skin ailments due to lack pure drinking water and healthcare facilities. Pollution from industrial plants also adds to their healthcare issues.
Sources said over 450 people live in the village with 50 families living in thatched houses. Villagers are deprived of welfare benefits being implemented by the state government.
The village has no Anganwadi centre or drinking water facility. People tread over 500 metres to fetch polluted water from a nullah to meet their daily water needs.
They strain the water on a piece of cloth and use it for drinking and cooking purposes.
A waste management company, Ramky, is supplying them water in a tanker once in day to tide over the water scarcity during summer.
The villagers are sandwiched between pollution emanating from Ramky plant and Balasore Ispat Alloys plant and end up contracting various diseases.
Villagers claimed that over 50 people had been afflicted by tuberculosis and kidney related ailments due to pollution from these two plants. Batu Munda, one of the villagers, lamented that solid wastes spilling from vehicles during transportation spoil the environment of the village.
The villagers alleged that the Anganwadi worker from the nearest Anganwadi centre and health department officials failed to provide healthcare to the villagers.
When contacted, ANM Arati Sahu said she has tried several times to bring pregnant women of the village to hospitals but in vain as they prefer delivery at homes.
Sarpanch Mandakini Sethy of Sukindagarh panchayat said she will personally visit the village to take stock of the situation and apprise the higher authorities about the problems plaguing the village. PNN
