Harichandanpur: The government spends crores of rupees towards tribal development, but people in Chadakmara, a hamlet inhabited by people of the primitive Juanga tribe, have been deprived of even the most basic facilities.
With road connectivity, drinking water, healthcare and education remaining a dream, the tribal residents of the hamlet situated in a forested area of this block in Keonjhar district have virtually been leading cursed lives, a report said.
To reach the hamlet, 15 km away from the block headquarters, one has to negotiate a narrow, rocky and serpentine foot track for 7 km from Bhanrpur panchayat and has to cross two creeks. The village is locked by hills.
The life of the tribals solely hinges on minor forest produce and shifting cultivation. Their children are deprived of education in the absence of a school.
The nearest school is 3 km away at Rohigaon. Despite threat from wild animals, some children risk their lives trekking the forested path to reach school. But their parents remain anxious until they return home before sunset.
The residents have to use contaminated water from streams and creeks throughout the year. “In winter and summer, people dig pits and use their water. As a result, children are afflicted with diseases,” said Anganwadi worker Sabita Juanga.
Some women and their kids are suspected to be malnourished for lack of nutritious food. The Anganwadi centre is in a dilapidated condition and children face a lot of problems.
Due to the commuting problem, regular supply of food stuff to the village is also affected.
In people fall sick, they are carried on cots for three km to Rohi village and from where they are shifted in vehicles to Harichandanpur community health centre.
Locals said they have to stop daily waging and spend an entire day to get pension, kerosene or subsided rice at the panchayat office.
The government has made provision of MGNREGS to ensure work opportunity in the surroundings, but the residents fail to avail of the facility even though they have job cards.
Laxmidhar Juanga, Mangala Juanga, Duryodhan Juanga, Mania Juanga and Dhena Juanga alleged they had drawn the attention of the block administration towards their problems, but to no avail. The tribal residents have urged the government to address their basic problems. PNN
