Post News Network
Telkoi, August 2: Contrary to the government’s claim that it has been taking a slew of measures for the development of tribals, Juangas residing in Kadudiha in Keonjhar have been deprived of basic facilities in all sectors – health, drinking water, electricity and infrastructure.
The village, home to 70 Juangas belonging to 15 families, is just 3 km from Shibnarayangoda panchayat under Bansapal block. The block headquarters is 60 km away from the village.
In the absence of a road, they have to face a lot of commuting problems. Besides, education and healthcare are a distant dream for the poor tribals most of whom are illiterate.
Moreover, in the absence of healthcare facilities in the periphery, the villagers often resort to herbal medicines or turn to quacks for treatment of their ailments. They depend on streams to meet their water needs as there is no facility of safe drinking water in the area. Barju Juanga, Chema Juanga, Bairu Junaga and Murali Juanga said elderly persons and BPL beneficiaries of the village are deprived of pension and PDS provisions as they fail to reach the block office.
In view of the problem they face in travelling to the block headquarters, the tribals have urged the collector to arrange provision of kerosene, rice and pension at Shibanarayangoda and sought measures to sort out their basic problems.