KALIA scheme yet to benefit residents of Nagada village

Jajpur: Once known for malnutrition deaths, the Nagada village under Sukinda block of Jajpur district is once again in news as the much touted KALIA scheme of the Odisha government is yet to make any impact in the region.

The farmers of Nagada village have denied getting any sort of financial assistance under KALIA scheme of the State government even though they had applied for the same. They have even accused the local forest department officials of stopping farming activity in the area.

"I had applied for assistance under the scheme but I have not received any help. I just know that one such scheme exists. There is electricity connection but no electricity supply and the roads are also in bad condition now," said Mangal Pradhan, a farmer of Nagada village said.

"If we stop farming, how will we live? They just provide us rice but no commodities like pulses, salt etc. How can we live only on rice only?," said a resident of Nagada, Tulasi Pradhan.

The Odisha government had took up various development activities in Nagada after reports of malnutrition deaths in the village surfaced in national media. The government constructed roads and made provision for drinking water, electricity and bus service to the area, however, now the situation is back to its previous state, sources said.

The residents continue to risk their lives by walking through the hilly terrain and mountainous roads. They have to travel in hazardous conditions in the only vehicle that provides transportation service to the area, sources added.

On the other hand, the district Collector has assured of providing all the necessary infrastructure to the area and promised inclusion of the farmers under the KALIA scheme.

"The roads were constructed in the mountain area and it surely requires maintenance every year which we will start soon as the monsoon season is over now. As far as assistance under KALIA scheme is concerned, some people have received it in first phase and others will get it in the second phase," said Jajpur District Collector, Ranjan Kumar Das.