DHENKANAL: A team of District Legal Services authority (DLSA) on Friday visited the tribal villages of Jamunalia, Bania and Todapada near Deogaon which are yet to get benefits of various Government schemes.The DLSA team, headed by secretary Arun Patnaik, interacted with the villagers who alleged that they have been deprived of Government benefits. Their children are being denied admission in schools as they as do not have Aadhaar cards, the villagers said. Around 85 members of 30 tribal families in Jamunalia village eke out their living by collecting honey and a root for making ‘handia’ from the nearby forest.
Kasinath Padhan, a villager, alleged that though many officials visit their village, no benefits are being provided to them. “After my husband’s death two years back, I am struggling to survive. As I don’t have Aadhaar and voter cards, I am unable to avail any benefits from the Government,” said Tara Padhan of Jamunalia.