Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Jajpur, July 18:

The Odisha government has woken up to the precarious condition in tribal hamlet of Nagada in Jajpur district where at least 18 infants have died in the last six months, predominantly due to malnutrition.

malnourished children nagada

The state government today decided to set up a taskforce for overall development of the region following a meeting at the state secretariat presided over by Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan.

The decision comes after the report of Director, Social Welfare. The task force will be headed by Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Central).

"We are going to form a task force headed by RDC. It will lay emphasis on road connectivity, drinking water, solar energy, health-related delivery, and provide food security regarding the ration and other things.  The task force will submit report on the progress of developmental activities of Nagada area on a weekly basis," Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan informed media.

Besides, five nodal officers will be appointed to look after five key areas like food security, health, education, road communication and drinking water facilities. The officers would monitor the progress of the developmental works in their respective areas, he said.

It may be mentioned here that the Nagada village inhabited by Juanga tribes is situated on a hilltop in Chingudipala panchayat in the mineral-rich Sukinda area in the district. The village is bereft of basic amenities viz health, education, communication, transport, power and drinking water.

In a related development, a team of the BJP headed by its state unit ST Morcha president and legislator Rabi Narayan Naik visited Nagada. The team comprised of Pradeep Purohit, Sameer De, Sanchita Mohanty, and Pravita Parida among others.