Parlakhemundi: Titli-ravaged Kerandi village under Rayagada block in Gajapati district is yet to get back its lost picture. The cyclone left a massive trail of destruction in the village. More than 25 houses were pulled down and roads and utility poles were left destroyed.
One month has passed by, but villagers of Kerandi are still left to spend wintery nights in open.
Inhabited by 57 families, the village has been devoid of a pucca road. The villagers have been living without basic amenities including — primary education, health, drinking water and electricity.
In case of health problems, the villagers have to cover an extra 7 km to reach Kainpur primary health center. They cannot even think of going to the community health center at Rayagada block as it is 40 km from their village.
These existing problems have become more aggravated since cyclone Titli.
After the cyclone, the affected villagers each received 50 kg of rice, Rs 1000, and later on 12 kg rice, a sheet of polythene and some biscuit packets.
But they are yet to get Rs 3,000 towards their daily expenses for 15 days as declared by the government after the cyclone. The villagers said the revenue inspector had assured them that the money would be deposited in their respective bank accounts.
Regarding the post Titli assistance money, supervisor, integrated child development scheme (ICDS), Latika Pujari informed that Rs 45 for children under the age group of 15 and Rs 60 for those above 12 years of age for 15 days have been deposited their bank accounts.
When enquired with the villagers, they alleged that they were yet to get any money credited to their accounts. Naib sarpanch Pramila Sabar informed that all the required information have been provided to the government.
We with our children are living miserably under open sky this winter. Hence we have urged the administration should help us construct our house, provide assistance and take steps to solve our other problems,” said villagers like Dalimba Sabar, kameshu Sabar, Satya Sabar, Anand Sabar, Mohan Sabar, Rammurthy Sabar, Balkrushna Sabar and some others.
When asked, district child protection officer Arun Kumar Tripathy said the beneficiaries’ bank passbooks have some mistakes and this might be the reason for which the money for 15 days’ expenses after cyclone could not have been credited to their accounts. Steps will be taken to get the money transferred to their respective accounts after a fresh survey,” he added.
PNN
