Amidst piercing chill and coldwave, the poor people , including tribals living in the hilly terrain, are forced to spend harsh nights across the State. This time as the Model Code of Conduct comes into effect in Jharkhand, schemes of distribution of blankets and bonfire has been postponed. Dipping mercury has thrown life out of gear, poor including slum dwellers and rickshaw pullers are worst hit in the city while tribals, living across the hilly and forest zones shivering in the biting cold.
Though it’s the time for poll and the government officials are bounded with the law, none of the NGO’s is coming forward this time with blankets and bonfire for charity. In lack of such arrangements on streets, poor, street dwellers are compelled to collect garbage, plastics, polybags and waste material on every nook and corners to light them to get some relief during night.
Conditions of primitive tribes are worst. Blankets help the nomadic tribes stay warm and feel comfy and safe; helps to ward against pneumonia, whooping cough and cold one of the biggest killers among the tribe. “Who cares for us, we might as well die in the cold”, said a 57years old Raju Manjhi, a villager under Chandankiyari block. “Politicians come to us only for votes”, he added.
‘Poor have to suffer this winter’, said Shyamal a rickshaw puller near Jodhadih more. “This is the time of election, non of the social organizations are coming forward with blankets for poor as they did not get place in media”, alleged Surender a roadside tea seller.
Blankets already had been distributed among the poor men and women in August this year, claimed Bokaro district administrative officials. Ahead of assembly poll in Jharkhand about 45000 blankets has been distributed across the districts, official said.
As the poll was proposed we have sent blankets to all blocks for distributions, but report (distribution) yet to receive, he said adding “Only Gomia official had submitted the distribution report,” said district welfare department official.