Kaptipada: People of Beladiha and Jamusahali hamlets under Bishaola block in Mayurbhanj district have long been demanding revenue status to their villages, but no step has been taken in this direction till date.
Locals alleged that a major share of government plans and programmes are being implemented in Bada Bisdhola panchayat while theirs remain neglected.
Most of the people living in the two villages are tribals. Sadly, the development of the villages has taken a backseat due to alleged official apathy.
The villages lack basic facilities like road connectivity, drinking water, education and electricity. Poor people were deprived of housing facilities and pension. Locals said that they have been pressing for revenue status to their villages since 2002. Seventeen years have passed, but the government is not paying heed to the demand, they lamented.
Revenue status will facilitate faster development in the village, said Bhaskar Mahakud, Purusottam Mahakud, Kartik Barik and Bharat Bhusan Nayak. With the administration doing nothing, the villagers warned of an agitation over the issue.
Baripada settlement officer has issued a letter to the district administration and revenue department May 12, 2012 to take steps for giving revenue status to the two villages.
A copy of the letter was forwarded to the Kaptipada tehsildar, seeking a report after a survey and preparation of a map.
“Then tehsildar, amin and revenue inspector had visited the place, but thereafter there has been no development on the issue,” rued former sarpanch Dagal Singh and former block chairman Bhagirathi Dehuri.
Villagers said they have been worn out from frequenting the offices of the tehsildar and the collector. Surprisingly, tehsildar Pradip Kumar Behera said he was not aware of the issue. Steps will be taken only after receiving the allegation, he made it clear.
PNN
