Harichandanpur: Despite crores of rupees being pumped for tribal development, there have been no changes in the socio-economic condition of people in several remote tribal pockets under Harichandanpur block in Keonjhar district.
Two hamlets Chuapani and Hatidandi in Bareigoda panchayat under this block are a case in point. Basic facilities like roads, drinking water, housing, education, healthcare and electricity have been a dream for people here.
With the administration being apathetic, gullible tribals here virtually lead a cursed life remaining confined to forests. They have been cut off from the rest of the civilised world. For generations, their livelihood hinges on collection and sale of minor forest produce, wild fruits, roots and shifting cultivation.
Hill streams meet their water needs but the government has not made a provision for safe drinking water under Swajala Dhara Yojana meant for rural pockets.
The tribals go through multiple hardships as healthcare remains inaccessible to them.
In most cases, patients from villages on the hilltop are carried on cots till a motorable road and then to Rebanapalaspal hospital or Harichandanpur community healthcare centre.
The hamlets are 300 feet from the ground. No efforts have been made to lift them from their wretched state even 70 years after Independence.
It was alleged that consumption of contaminated water and lack of nutritious food has been the cause of malnourishment of many women and children. Their weak constitution speaks volumes about their malnutrition.
According to reports, 80 people from 23 families belonging to a Majhi community live in Chuapani while 140 from 40 families live in Hatidandi Sahi. These hamlets lie amid forests, 25 km from the block headquarters.
To reach Chuapani, one has to negotiate with 3-km-long rocky narrow road through Rebana reserve forest from Bareigoda panchayat and have to travel 4 km on a foot-track to reach Nardhang Penta village.
As there is no proper connectivity to these hamlets, residents here have been deprived of all government benefits. Earlier, the forests used to be a safe haven for Maoists, but that problem is no longer existent.
Villagers lamented that during rainy season, carrying patients out of the village is virtually impossible. In many cases, patients die on their way.
Babuli Munda, a villager, recalled an incident that took place last year. “A snake bit my sister-in-law and niece last year. We carried them on two cots for about 5 kms, but they succumbed,” he rued.
The village has no Anganwadi centre. Kids have to go to nearest Anganwadi centre at Nardhang, 5 km from the village. The villagers said their kids risk their lives while walking through the forest and crossing streams to reach Chuapani primary school. As a result, children have to drop out of schools.
Electricity has been a dream for them. As evening falls, villagers shut their doors. Throughout the year, although tribals are affected by cold, cough, diarrhea and malaria, they are unable to get treatment in most cases.
All families are in the BPL category, but no houses under IAY have been provided to them. The residents are deprived of opportunities under MGNREGS though some of them have got job cards.
BDO Sushant Kumar Pati said drinking water will be provided to the village soon while a road will be laid under MGNREGS. PNN