Kaliapani: A year after the death of 21 kids due to malnutrition in Nagada villages, the state government’s attempts to bring development has not seen success due to the apathy of implementing agencies and the refusal of the tribals to give up their lifestyles, a report said Monday.
Nagada, a cluster of villages in the Sukinda valley of Jajpur district, hit headlines last year after 21 kids died of malnutrition. Shocked, the state and the Centre launched various schemes to bring change to the villages.
But the tribal continues to live his traditional life and uses only rice, salt and greens. The mushroom cultivation which they had started has almost stopped due to the negligence of authorities.
The Jivika Mission which had formed 10 self-help groups in Nagada, Guhiasal and Tumuni villages to provide employment to tribals through poultry, goat farming, bamboo product manufacturing and cash crops remains on paper. The 100-bed girls’ residential school still remains a dream in the area.
The government is spending crores to provide nutritious food to kids. However, it has failed to bring any change in these villages and that was evident during the recent visit of revenue divisional commissioner (Central) DV Swamy. Swamy expressed displeasure with officials on noticing the sorry condition of tribals.
He also warned of stern action ‘Trickle’, a voluntary outfit, of action if it fails to implement government plans in the village. Earlier, former RDC AB Otta visited the villages and asked the district administration to supply nutritious foods to kids and elders in the village.
The Centre and the state had launched several schemes after the death of 21 kids to usher in a lifestyle change among tribals. However, it failed to bring about development in Nagada villages as the Juang tribal continues to live in traditional ways.
Sources said roads and houses have been constructed in the village and a medical team visits the area once a week. A primary school has come up in the area and students are attending classes. Power supply has also been provided to villages.
The state has launched integrated child development schemes (ICDS) and Jivika Mission for employment while three NGOs are working for the development of the tribals. Nutritious foods are being supplied, but tribals continue to use only rice, salt and greens. This has defeated the purpose of government schemes. PNN
