Kaptipada: The government pushes tribal development with a host of schemes by spending crores of rupees, but their benefits continue to elude the targeted beneficiaries.
A case in point is a colony at JS Jamudiha gram panchayat under this block in Mayurbhanj district where 30 families belonging to the primitive Mankidia tribe lead lives of deprivation in the absence of basic facilities like housing, drinking water and electricity, a report said.
Benefits of government schemes are inaccessible to the over 150 people of the colony.
In 2010-11, work orders for housing units under the Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) were given to 14 families. Till date, the houses remain incomplete, leaving the beneficiaries in the lurch. Most of the families reside in dilapidated shanties.
According to the tribals, after repeated complaints the administration enrolled 14 families under the IAY. A contractor who was assigned the construction work took the advance money of housing, but abandoned work at different stages.
A report in this regard was carried in Oriya daily Dharitri a few months ago. Taking note of the matter, Kaptipada BDO Yudhistir Nayak, had said complaints will be lodged against the contractor concerned.
After this report, then collector Rajesh Prabhakar Patil had ordered an investigation into the matter. The collector had asked then BDO to provide Rs 10,000 each to the beneficiaries from the District Red Cross Fund as cost of housing has escalated over the years.
“Though 11 months have passed since the collector’s directive, the beneficiaries have not received the financial help,” said Kanda Mankidia, Maharaj Mankidia and Gyana Mankidia.
Now, the monsoon has compounded their problems. “In the rainy season, it is difficult for us to live in the dilapidated thatched houses. We are trying to cover the holes in the roofs and walls with leaves and straws,” said Narendra Mankidia and Chandan Mankadia.
Besides, none of the rural electrification schemes has reached the colony, forcing the inhabitants to reel in darkness amid fear of attacks from wild animals from the nearby forest.
In the absence of proper road connectivity, the tribals have to endure a lot of hardships while lack of drinking water facility has been a perennial problem for them. An NGO has made provision of drinking water through solar power, but the system is not working all the time.
Besides, many families have been left out of the National Food Security Act coverage. Years ago, the Integrated Tribal Development Agency had constructed houses for the tribal families, but most of these houses are in bad shape. Residents apprehend the houses might cave in any time.
Panchayat executive officer Shyam Sundar Majhi said road work will be done soon while electricity will be supplied under the Deendayal Jyoti Yojana. Those who have not received IAY benefits will be provided with housing units soon.
BDO Yudhistir Nayak said more funds will be provided, but the beneficiaries are not completing their houses. PNN
