Kaliapani: Food supplies and consumer welfare secretary Vir Vikram Yadav visited hilltop Nagada villages in Sukinda valley of Jajpur district and took stock of the implementation of state-sponsored developmental schemes Thursday.
Yadav expressed his displeasure over delay in completion of a sub-health centre and Indira Awas Yojana houses during his review in the upper Nagada village.
He laid emphasis on proper implementation of government schemes and making tribals self-reliant through poultry, goat rearing and vocational trainings.
Yadav interacted with the Juanga tribals of middle and lower Nagada about their problems.
He was unhappy to find voluntary outfits working for bringing in lifestyle changes among the tribals absent during his visit.
The secretary went around a kitchen farm set up with help of Tata Steel and enquired about the availability of seeds.
The Juangas pleaded with the secretary to resolve the drinking water and employment problems in the region on priority basis.
Yadav discussed the matter with officials of the rural water supply and sanitation (RWSS) department and directed them to take steps to construct a bore-well and ensure drinking water supply to the villages.
He directed the accompanying additional district medical officer (ADMO) Kanhu Charan Nayak to ensure availability of healthcare facilities in the villages and supply of iron tablets to pregnant women.
The secretary asked the officials to ensure proper vaccination of pregnant women and kids, primary treatment, provision of nutritious food and identification of children suffering from malaria.
Yadav suggested formation of self-help groups for implementation of developmental programmes.
Nagada, where most of the residents belong to the primitive Juanga tribe, is a cluster of villages comprising lower Nagada, middle Nagada, upper Nagada, Guhiasal, Tumuni and other villages in Chingudipal panchayat of Sukinda block.
The villages hogged the headlines in July last year following the death of 21 children due to malnutrition.
This prompted the state government to launch a host of developmental projects in the villages. The administration also started construction of a road leading to the villages which are located in a remote region.
The government provided mosquito nets and water filters to the tribals while Anganwadi centres were opened for pre-schooling of children.
However, these measures failed to bring in any change in the lifestyle of the tribals who continue to drink the impure water of hilly streams and survive on salt and rice without eating vegetables.
Despite mushroom cultivation promoted in the villages to economically support the inhabitants, many still stick to their traditional food habits.
Sukinda tehsildar Nabakrushna Jena and block development officer Sailendra Jena accompanied the secretary during his visit.