Development deficits galore in Rayagada: Scores of poll boycott threatening
Rayagada (Badal Tah): Declarations of poll boycott from many villages and habitations from several corners of Rayagada have cropped up citing development deficit. One of the reasons could be instigation also. But it could be genuine. It is a fact that Rayagada district as a whole is infested with a number of administrative abuse. The district administration must have a reality check of these poll boycott declarations by the communities.
Come the election, Kashipur block remains in the forefront of the election boycott syndrome. Jhodias have demanded a tribal status. Leaders from Jhodia Community under the aegis of Paraja Samaj assembled at Bagrijhola village and declared that they would boycott the ensuing election 2024 if they are not given ST status. There are around 50000 Jhodias in 85 villages of Kashipur block. Villagers of Nuapada from Kashipur block, especially from the milkman community, were demanding a canal in their village to irrigate more than hundreds of acres; but as no one including the local Sarapanch heeded to their genuine demand, they had to dig the canal on their own to construct the diversion based irrigation(DBI) system. They are damn anguished over this and say that they will even dare to throw the political candidates out of their village if they enter into their village. Similarly, community members from Kakudipadar village in Maikanch GP of Kashipur block have demanded a fair weather road, adequate safe drinking water & an Anganwadi Centre and said to boycott the poll if their demands are not met. Kanhuguda villagers have also threatened not to cast their vote en masse if a road is not constructed in their village. Interestingly enough, Gamhariguda village has a pin code of Koraput district, but for all other purpose it is in Rayagada. Due to administrative negligence, no development efforts have been taken up since last 30 years as the village was donated to Kashipur king by Jeypore king. Apart from this, due to the exploitive tactics of extractive mining industries like Vedanta, Adani, Maythri, Utkal Alumina, etc Maoists have given a call to boycott poll through their posters, which surfaced on the walls near Mandibisi RI office.
Baribhatta villagers in Shingari GP of Kalyan Singhpur decided not to participate in the election process because there is no road connectivity and electricity in their habitation. Kangsiri villagers under Shingari GP are demanding a bridge over river Nagavali. After the officials visited their village, they were asked to give those demands in writing. Kataguda villagers in Majhiguda GP are facing acute problems due to lack of a pucca road. Though they voluntarily constructed a kuccha road on their own, it is horrible during the rainy season. Kharajoda villagers in Shingari GP came to meet Collector regarding a road which was obstructed by a person, who was constructing a house. In the absence of the Collector, they submitted a memorandum to the ADM Majhi where they threatened to boycott election if their grievance was not addressed. Kathagada village in Munikhol GP of Muniguda block has an extreme shortage of safe drinking water. So, the villagers have decided to boycott poll unless this problem was addressed. Dangaria Kandhas belonging to Niyamagiri Surakhya Samiti, who are protesting green field mining in Niyamagiri, Sijimali, Kutrumali, Basangmali, have given a call to boycott election if mining takes place in these hills.
In Parima village of Padmapur block, villagers have brought drinking water from the hills through traditional technology. This water is not becoming sufficient as the process is in its rudimentary stage. Though there is a prominent wall writing Vasudha water supply scheme in the village, it is dysfunctional. Tribals fume about the administrative abuse and have decided not to vote this time. In Anjali village of Padmapur block, there is a need of a proper road and safe drinking water. Unless these needs are fulfilled, they told that they will not vote.
According to villagers of Kolling in Tadama GP of Rayagada block, a check dam was constructed 10 years back. This was not in the proper place. So land was not getting irrigated. The villagers used to divert water on their own; but this is not possible now. So, they have resolved to avoid going to polling booths unless a proper check dam is built in commensuration with irrigation canals. Unfortunately, this village is hardly five kms away from the district headquarters.
Dom Samaj, an outfit of dalit communities has put a series of demands before the district administration. They even sat in a dharana before the Collector’s office to address their demands in a priority basis or else they would boycott the election. These types of complaints are galore due to scores of development deficits.
Though the Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan says that a few of these grievances could have been instigated, he assures that a thorough investigation of people’s genuine demands will be done and addressed earliest possible. The villagers will be motivated to cast their vote cent percent in those places.
