Development a far cry in Muraguda village of Odisha

Reported by Ranjan Rath
Rayagada, 6 Dec 14:

Nearly 150 families living in Muraguda village of Odisha’s Rayagada district are yet to get basic amenities.

tribals

All the 150 families in the village in Chandrapur block of Gunupur subdivision are below the poverty line (BPL) and are yet to have elementary amenities like all-weather road connectivity, electricity, water supply, health or education. Progress is a far cry in this village while welfare schemes of the government and employment opportunities remain a dream.

Covered by dense forest, Muraguda, used to be a hub of Maoist activities a few years ago. Even though the Maoists are nowhere to be seen in the area after CRPF established a camp at Dangasarada three years back, it remains a good excuse for government officials not to visit the village.

A project has been approved to build a 15 km long road from Muraguda to Bijapur via Madhukupuda under Integrated Action Plan (IAP), but it remains papers. Without this road and lack of transportation facilities, villagers have to walk for about 10 kms everyday to buy their essential daily supplies. The lone wreck of a school in the village doesn’t even see a teacher for months.

The condition of water supply is even worse. The only bore-well of the village doesn’t work and the villagers dig ditches to get their water. This untreated water poses a potential health hazard for the villagers.  And, when it strikes, the patients are carried over a Khatia (traditional four-legged stretcher) by foot for over 10 kilometres before they can avail any mode of transport for the nearest hospital.

“We have been repeatedly complaining to the district administration about these issues; however, it falls on a deaf ear every time,” said disgruntled villagers Prakash Kreptika, Mersa Majhi and Jahan Kreptika to OST.

“A team comprising representatives of different departments would visit the village and study the issues they face. Action will be taken based on their recommendations,” said Gunupur Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) project administrator Karunakar Raika.

 

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