The Odisha government claims to have implemented numerous welfare schemes for the development of rural belts in the State, but the real picture has exposed the sorry state of affairs in several remote areas where basic amenities are still a distant dream.
OTV took stock of the developmental activities in two remote areas in Gajapati and Jajpur districts where motorable roads, education, communication, pucca houses and electricity are still inaccessible to the masses.
Kumutipankala village, a small hamlet under G. Udaygiri block in Gajapati district, which is home to around 40 tribal families is deprived of all government facilities.
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Locals of the village have been reeling under muddy roads during rainy season every year. In absence of an all-weather road, they even struggle to reach nearby local market for daily needs.
Alleging administrative negligence, locals said that their repeated complaints have fallen in the deaf ears of the authorities.
Every family still depends on the kerosene lamp to fight darkness as electricity connection has remained far away from them. To add to their woes, the solar light system has also become defunct in the village.
At a time when government is boasting of making provisions of pucca houses to all, the claim has fallen flat here in this village as only four out of 40 families in the region have been included under Biju Pucca Ghara scheme.
When asked, local BDO assured to sort out the issues of the villagers on priority basis.
“We have taken steps to include the kutcha road under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. It would be converted into an all-weather road soon,” said Pradip Kumar Nayak, BDO
With a similar fate, Thatari Sahi under Binjharpur block in Jajpur district is also struggling to get government aid under various schemes.
Around 20 families are residing in the village and none of them have been granted shelter under the housing scheme.
Communication, health care, education and safe drinking water are still miles away from the village.
Locals alleged that they had knocked the door of administration several times for pucca shelter, but to no avail.
On the other hand, Jajpur Collector Chakravarti Singh Rathore has assured to prepare a list of eligible beneficiaries soon so that locals can be provided house under government scheme. Other issues of the villagers would also be look into, he said.
“I have already instructed the BDO to look into the road issue first. Secondly, I have directed the concerned officials to enquire into the allegation of kutcha houses. Those who are have not included in pucca house scheme, they will get soon,” he added.