Mahakalpara: A plethora of welfare schemes like the National Food Security Act, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Biju Kudia Yojana, Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Scheme and Mission Shakti Yojana has still remained out of bounds for the community members and failed to alleviate their sufferings.
The shocking revelation came when this correspondent witnessed some women of tribal Sabar community digging rat pits in paddy fields along Prabhakarpur-Kharinasi road near Ramachandi river in Kendrapara district. It has come at a time when people all over the world are feasting and celebrating New Year while the two women toiled hard to pick some paddy littered in the field to feed their family members.
The women were digging the rat holes and picking leftover paddy by putting their hands into the pits for a morsel of grain to feed their family members and the saga was captured by this correspondent. When questioned, the women said they wash the leftover paddy and dry it under sun to cook rice at home.
The women were identified as Anjana Mallick (30) and Putuli Mallick (22) both residents of Lunimathia (Ramchandipada) hamlet in Sabarpada village under this block. The two women in a choked voice claimed they have to do all the toiling as the benefits of National Food Security Act is yet to reach them. They decline having any knowledge on any government scheme.
An enquiry by this correspondent reveaed the fact that over 100 families of tribal Sabar community live in the village while most of them have houses on government forested lands. They eke out their living by fishing and working as casual labourers and yet to receive any government assistance.
When contacted, block development officer Ramesh Chandra Sethy said that the matte rwill be probe and government assistance would be provided to the two women.
PNN
