KEONJHAR: Around 20 children from the primitive Juang tribe living at Baragada village in Keonjhar's Banspal block are deprived of pre-primary schooling and nutritious food after the
anganwadi centre stopped functioning a year ago.
According to sources, about 50 Juang families live in Baragada located amidst hills and forest, about 40 km from here. All the families belong to the
BPL catergory. "We are too poor to provide nutritious food to our children. Even the anganwadi centre has shut down," said Faguni Juanga, a villager. The Juang Development Agency (JDA), an autonomous body, was established in 1975 with its headquarters at Gonasika village under Banspal block for overall development of the tribe. Crores of rupees have been spent for their socio-economic development but in vain.
"Whenever officials of JDA or the block visited us, we have complained about the non-functioning of the anganwadi centre but it was never reopened," said Sanatan Juang. "It is unfortunate that the Juangs are deprived of anganwadi facilities. I will definitely draw the attention of the administration," said Ramray Mundiya, chairperson of tribal development council. This apart, there is no power and water supply in the the village. People continue to use water from the stream for drinking purposes. Also, there is fear of wild animals and reptiles in the dark. "We will look into the problems of the villagers and take steps to solve those, " said additional
district magistrate Dr. Bhakta Charan Pradhan.