Following death of 19 kids in Jajpur district’s Nagada village in a short span of three months, the State Government has asked concerned officials to constitute self-help groups (SHG) in the tribal-dominated hilly village to empower women.
The Women and Child Development Department has directed the Jajpur District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) in this regard.
“It is decided to constitute SHGs to encourage community work in remote villages, including Nagada of Sukinda block,” a letter to the DSWO said.
The DSWO has been asked to discuss with the locals in this regard and inform the department after constituting the SHGs.
Notably, the Government has been providing petty loans to the Women SHGs under the Mission Shakti scheme. Besides, they are being provided funds under different schemes for skill development of women.
As the SHGs are monitoring the nutrition and mid-day meal served to children at the local anganwadi centres (AWCs) and schools, the authorities are expecting the SHGs would help resolve malnutrition problem in remote villages like Nagada.
The Government is focusing on making Nagada a model village for development of the Juang community.
The Government has ordered to double the quantity of ration items for the Nagada villagers. The authorities have been asked to set up AWCs and provide nutritious foods and supplements to the kids in the village.
Similarly, it has decided to construction a residential school with 100-bed hostel in the village to ensure education for the children. Besides, adequate facilities would be made available for healthcare services.
These apart, several programmes have been initiated for improving the livelihoods of the tribals. Villagers would be provided supports to make bamboo items and sell them in the market along with forest products, officials said.