Nuapada: The administration Friday began development works in Samadpadar, a hilltop village in Khariar block of this district, a few days after collector Poma Tudu trekked the hilly terrain to reach the hamlet to take stock of situation.
The region missed the development radar of the administration as no collector had visited the hamlet in last three years. However, Tudu, after receiving complaints from villagers some days back in her grievance cell, covered the four-km-long steep stretch in foot with some officials Sunday to learn the difficulties of the people. She promised to address their issues soon.
Social security officer and Ranimunda panchayat executive officer Satyabrata Baral Thursday came to the village and collected information about some people who died prematurely but didn’t get any government assistance.
Similarly, he spoke to the family members of some labourers to ensure jobs for them. A list was prepared to offer jobs to 15 farmers in the farming sector while two would be given job in excavation of community ponds.
Similarly, an MGNREGS project worth Rs 10 lakh began Friday for the development of a stretch from Samadpadar to Tinko Chowk. Fifteen persons of Mahulpadar and 27 of Samadpadar were engaged in the project.
Several other projects in coordination with other departments would be taken up to provide employment opportunities to the villagers, Baral said.
The collector’s visit to the village, which is located at a height of 2,000 metre from the sea level, hogged the limelight with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik welcoming the move in a tweet.
So far, only three IAS officers including Tudu have scaled the hill to reach the village. Despite this, no improvement was marked in the standard of living of the tribals.
On the other hand, the villagers expected the administration to look into issues like healthcare, education, electricity and water instead of finishing their duties in one or two road projects. PNN