BERHAMPUR: Tribal people of 12 villages of Balarampur panchayat under Sanakhemundi Assembly segment of Ganjam have threatened to boycott the ensuing panchayat election. Over 3,000 tribals of Aliguda, Haladibagada, Dampur, Kendupada, Kajuamba, Phatachanchda, Mahulpada, Jhilimili, Hinjilibasa, Jayasing, Punjiamba and Jhirijhira villages under Dharakote block held a meeting at Haladibagad recently and took the decision to boycott the election protesting lack of development in their areas.
The villagers alleged that they depend on a road from Sadangipalli to Jayasing that connects them to the Berhampur town. The road was constructed at a cost of `10 lakh over a decade back by Rural Development (division 1). However, the road is now lying in dilapidated condition.
Similarly, primary schools in these villages do not have boundary walls and are yet to be electricfied. The ICDS programme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development has been stopped for the last one year depriving children of pre-school education and nutritious food under the anganwadi system. Although they have apprised the administration of the problems, the latter has not paid heed. BDO Pradeep Kumar Nayak said proposal of repairing the road has been sent to the government.