Rayagada Collector gives patient hearing and proacts on issues of Dangaria Kandha tribals of Niyamgiri hills
Dr.Badal Tah,
Associate editor,Odishabarta
Rayagada, February 20: After a long gap, Dangaria Kandha tribals belonging to Primarily Vulnerable Tribal Group(PVTG) living in Niyamgiri hills approached Rayagada District Magistrate Asutosh Kulkarni and demanded development in the areas of health, education, PDS and transportation.
“India is about to complete 80 years of independence but we have not seen electricity in our villages. There are no schools or anganwadi centers for childhood care & education in several villages. We have to walk 15 kms to get rice through Public Distribution System (PDS). Till date, induction of development activities by tribal agencies like ITDA and Dangaria Kandha Development Agency (DKDA) is not satisfactory”, said Lada Sikaka joined by several youth leaders of Niyamgiri Surakhya Samiti.
Residents of Lakhpadar, Patangpadar, Dangamati, Guma, Lamba villages of Parsali Panchayat under Kalyansinghpur Block came a long way and placed their grievance directly before Collector Kulkarni. Though it was not a scheduled day of grievance redressal, Kulkarni was easily accessible to the members of this PVTG community in Collector’s chamber. He was empathetic and gave a patient hearing to the issues raised by these tribal people, who are still vulnerable due to sheer development deficit.
After Hangneli village, no electricition is done in rest of the villages of Parsali panchayat. In addition, for PDS rice BPL households have to walk 15 kms from Lakhpadar and other villages. It is very difficult to carry loads of rice on the rugged ghat road. Cost of rice is nothing compared to the cost of transporting it by vehicle. So it would be beneficial if rice gets distributed in Dangmati village. The government has built a tar road up to Lakhpadar. So, government bus facilities should be provided for transportation upto Lakhpadar, tribals demanded.
“We are facing various problems with water supply system leading to health problems. In Harghar Jal scheme, we request the Government to solve this basic issue”, said Dangaria villagers.
Kulkarni assured to open an anganwadi center near the village within 10 days. He said that rice would be provided one day a month after discussing with the supply officer for the supply of rice to the households. All other basic problems will be rectified. This area was once a Maoist stronghold, so development was elusive. Now, if the people there want development, it is certainly a welcome step, he said. It may be noted that Kulkarni, after assuming charge, visited many PVTG villages to monitor special schemes meant for them like PM-JANMAN, etc. He is also emphasizing promotion and diversification of Kapda Gunda shawl having a GI tag produced by Dangaria women.
