Though the State Government boasts of launching different schemes and programmes for the poor and underprivileged section of the society, particularly for the adivasi people, but at the implementation levels, the result is far below the expectation. The recent case of malnutrition deaths of tribal Juang kids in Nagada is a bright example.
Another similar heartrending story has come to the fore in Keonjhar district where five orphan minor children are in distress, who badly need Government intervention for their rehabilitation.
The kids were identified as Bida Munda (14), Mamata Munda(13), Babula Munda(12), Sambari Munda (12) and Akash Munda(7) who have lost their father Ranja Munda and mother Chandra Munda and are living in a miserable condition in Bilaipada village under Joda block. Their father died four years back while their mother passed away two years ago. After the death of their parents, they were looked after by their old grandmother Namis Munda who also died four months back. With this, the misfortune of these children has deepened.
Here in this mining belt, many Government agencies like ICDS, CWS (Child Welfare Society), NGOs, corporate houses, local public representatives and several generous people claim to be working for the development of the tribals, but unfortunately, not a single soul has been found generous towards these kids.
The entire family is dependent on the shoulder of elder brother Bida and sister Mamata, both of whom are minors. The duo works in the house of others as domestic help to maintain the entire family.
However, thanks to local youth and former Naib Sarpanch Vishnu Khillar, a NFSA ration card has been issued to them two months back. They are now able to lift 25 kg of rice per month, but the main concern is the maintenance of their house which is in the state of collapse.
The locals have demanded that these kids be included in the beneficiary list of Indira Awas or Biju Pucca Ghara schemes so that they can get assistance to construct a house. For their education, these children can also be put up in the nearby Adivasi Vikash Samiti at Barbil run by Padma Sri Tulasi Munda or in any other residential schools of SC/ST Development Department of the State Government, opined many.