--Residents threaten to boycott coming polls: Though the State and Central Governments are pumping crores of rupees for various developmental works across the State, some interior parts still are languishing in absence of basic amenities. S Kalamasing village of Karadasing panchayat under Rayagada block of Gajapati district is a case in point.
Around 20 families are residing in the village. But due to the lack of an all-weather road to the village, they are unable to communicate with the outer world. Especially during the ongoing rainy season, the situation is worse.
The villagers have to cross a stream to go to the outside area from their village. Children who are studying at Karadasing High School which is 12 km from the village are unable to move during the rainy season. Similarly, patients, old persons and women needing maternity care are worst affected as they are deprived of immediate medical intervention. At times, the pregnant women and other serious patients are taken on shoulders or slings to the nearest hospital. For PDS rice and pension, the old people too are finding it difficult to reach the panchayat headquarters.
Meanwhile, fed up with the hollow assurances of the political leaders, these villagers have decided to boycott the upcoming election. When contacted, Rayagada BDO Sudhir Kumar Singh said the people will be provided works under the NREGS, apart from building a road to the village.
