Daringbadi: Development is a common plank for all political parties during elections. Every politician goes the extra mile to hardsell development and promises better roads, water supply, electricity, PDs availability, healthcare and education to the voters.
However, the ground reality is different. Development is a distant dream in many remote pockets of the state, especially in Daringbadi area of Kandhamal district. Although, this tribal-dominated district was a focus of all parties before the polls, people here struggle for basic facilities.
A case in point is the plight of residents of Basabadi village under Partamaha panchayat of Daringbadi block. Comprising 70 families, the village is alien to government launched welfare schemes. With no basic facilities around, people here are still in the dark age.
The village is surrounded by eight hills. To venture out of the village, people have to trek through eight hills stretching 8km to reach the panchayats office.
With no concrete roads, the villagers in case of an emergency or medical problem carry patients on cots. Traditional healers and sorcerers are their only source of hope in cases of diseases and fever. For panchayat works, half a day goes just trekking the forests, locals said.
Till date, only a single family has got the benefits under a housing scheme while the remaining 69 families are running from pillar to post. Moreover, proper drinking water is a curse for the villagers as all tubewells in the village are lying defunct. So, the villagers had dug a pit under a tree from which water is used for all purposes including bathing, drinking and also for cattle. Forget electricity, people here still depend on kerosene lamps.
There are many more inaccessible villages like Kadipanga, Kahampadi, Jagadi, Sujamaju, Pisamala, Mundulabali under Partamaha panchayat that are cut off from the rest of the world.
Interestingly, not even a single government official has put his foot in these villages. Only during elections, political parties go to these villages promising development. On several occasions, the locals have tried to bring the matter to the notice of the administration, but to no avail. PNN