Harichandanpur/Champua: The Centre and state governments have several welfare schemes for the benefit of tribals, but many of them in Harichandanpur and Champua blocks of Keonjhar have allegedly been deprived of their basic facilities.
The benefits of housing, social security and livelihood have failed to reach them, it was alleged.
A case in point is the life of a tribal family in Nipania in Sunapentha panchayat under Harichandanpur block. The family of Gadadhar Munda (37) is living in a precarious condition. No government benefits have been provided to them.
Gadadhar’s family comprises his wife Belamani Munda (35), daughters Barsha Munda (6), Jharana Munda and son Bijay Munda (8 months). His shanty made of bamboo poles speaks volumes of their living condition. The thatched house is in a dilapidated state that poses threat to their lives.
The couple tries to make both ends meet by doing odd jobs in the locality. They said whatever they earn from daily wages is insufficient to feed their family of five.
“We are poor tribals and illiterate too. Nobody paid heed to out plight even though we have drawn attention of the panchayat and block officials,” Belamani rued.
As their house is at the foothills, they are vulnerable to dangers of wild animals.
All that the family has got is just a ration card. Electricity, safe drinking water and education are still dreams for them. Locals demanded that the administration take immediate steps to come to the rescue of the poor tribal family.
Another 9-member tribal family is in distress in Rajia panchayat under Champua block. Government schemes and programmes are a dream for this family too. Sukura Munda is deprived of housing and a ration card under NFSA. The administration has allegedly turned a blind eye to their plight. His family has been living in hardships in a shanty.
The couple — Sukura Munda and Sambhari Munda — struggles to feed seven children while they are unable to get enough work for a decent living.
Sukura is unable to work properly as one of his hands is paralysed after a wild spider bit him in a forest. To add to his woes, one of their kids is differently-abled.
The couple has frequented to the panchayat office several times seeking housing and social security benefits, but to no avail. PNN