Even though the BJD Government has been claiming to have effected developments in the nooks and corners of the State, the recent poll boycott by the voters of Bhuiyantoli village of Sorada panchayat under Sundergarh district’s Nuagaon block has exposed the claims as ‘false’.
Around 300 voters did not turn up to vote in their booth on April 10 despite the repeated attempts made by the district administration to convince them. “We don’t have electricity connection to our village. We have not a well conditioned road, and a single tubewell is unable to provide us sufficient drinking water. We have moved from pillar to post to get these basic facilities in our village. All have turned deaf ears to our demands. Why and whom we will vote,” some villagers lamented.
They further informed that though their village has an Anganwadi center, still the same has not an own building. Government schemes are not reaching the village too. “There are a number of widows and old-aged persons in our village but they are yet to get pensions,” they said.
Knowing about the villager’s decision, Nuagaon block BDO Jayakrushna Sahu had gone to Bhuiantoli on April 6 and assured them that a tube well, a good road and a building for the Anganwadi center would be provided to the village soon. But, the already ‘upset’ electors did not budge from their stand.
“The villagers have been getting only assurance from leaders and the administration but they have not yet been provided with basic facilities,” said Dhurandhar Naik, ward member of the village. However, BDO Sahu doesn’t have information about the development. “I have no idea that the villagers did not cast their votes April 10,” Sahu added.