Malkangiri: With the demonetisation of `500 and `1,000 denomination currency notes, the primitive Bonda tribals are facing a harrowing time to meet their daily requirements, a report said.
Though it has been more than a month since the currency ban move, several tribal women Monday had to return from Mundiguda market under Khairaput block here empty handed after failing to buy provisions.
Illiteracy and lack of awareness about banking system have compounded their woes, it was learnt. According to reports, the tribals had some savings over the years which they accumulated by selling minor forest produce, working under MGNREGS projects and from shifting cultivation.
They converted their hard earned money into `500 and `1,000 currency notes. However, the ban on the old currencies has left them high and dry, upsetting their calculations.
“The decision of the Centre has left us nowhere,” a few Bonda women, who failed to buy items of urgent needs, said.
A group of women reached Mundiguda weekly market after walking about 20 km to buy groceries, clothes and vegetables, but failed to do so.
However, a few of them had brought with them items like raggi, pumpkin, green chili and mustard to sell in the market which they bartered against their requirements, it was learnt.
The tribals have failed to deposit the currencies with the banks as they don’t have banking linkages. The absence of banking facility in six panchayats in the cutoff areas of Chitrakonda has only added to their problems, tribals said.
The government should look into the matter and take immediate measures to exchange their old currencies, the tribals demanded. PNN
