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Benefits of government schemes elude tribals

Correspondent

Patta holders search in vain for land allotted

KORAPUT: Baidi Paraja, a tribal woman from Alanaguda village in Paikophulbeda panchayat near Koraput received a land patta for 0.60 acres in the neighbourhood from the district administration in 1994.

But even after 14 years, despite her continuous efforts with the offices in the district, she could not locate the exact place of her land, alleges Baidi. Hers is not the only case, Bidyut Mahanty, secretary, SPREAD, says at a public hearing held on the premises of the Tribal Museum here on Friday.

At least 28 persons in Phulbeda panchayat itself are yet to locate their piece of land that was offered on lease by the district administration under different schemes.

Cashew plantations

While 1,500 families in Machkund tahsil region have been given cashew fruit pattas by the State government, Cashew Corporation, Jeypore, have been enjoying the benefits of the crop, Ghasi Gadanga, one of the beneficiaries laments.

While the poor tribals were given the land pattas by the government under different programmes, many are yet to get the real benefit of the schemes, Gupta Prasad Panigrahy, an advocate from Koraput, says.

Moreover, some of the beneficiaries have been asked to deposit the tax on the offered land even though they have not seen their land, he adds.

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