Kaliapani: Over 100 children of Nagada village under Sukinda block in Jajpur district have been enrolled in a school at the hilltop village, a report said.
This became possible after a voluntary outfit ‘Aspire’ made efforts in this direction in the wake of reports about the death of 18 kids allegedly due to malnutrition.
The development has brought cheers among the residents most of whom belong to the primitive Juang tribe.
Over 100 children within the age group of six to 14 years have started attending classes taught be three teachers from nearby Ekul village.
The district primary education project authority (DPEP) has planned to open a primary school in the village in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the district social welfare officer (DSWO) and block welfare extension officer (WEO) have identified 103 tribals residing in the village for receiving forest land pattas under the Forest Rights Act-2006. Members of the state government-appointed task force committee visited the village and directed the district administration to bring in development in the village on a war-footing.
As part of this effort, Sukinda tehsildar Nabakrushna Jena presided over a gram sabha attended by tribals at Tala Nagada village. He encouraged the tribals, who were hitherto unaware of forest land rights, to submit applications for receiving forest land pattas.
When contacted, the tehsil officials said 70 Juang tribals in Nagada and Tumuni and 37 in Guhiasala have been identified to receiving land pattas.
Block development officer Debadutta Mohanty said all tribal families in Nagada, Guhiasala and Tumuni have been included under Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana. PNN
