Reconstruction works move at snails pace

ROURKELA: Funds are not a botheration but several reconstruction works in the Maoist-affected areas remain pending even two years after the ultras demolished almost all rural assets, including schools and health institutions in five remote villages in Bonai sub-division. Blame it on the whimsical attitudes of different work executing bodies. The issue of funds was sorted out a few months back with the help of the Integrated Action Plan  (IAP) fund but the works have not progressed much. Sources said on December 22 and 23, 2009 the Maoists in interior Relhatu, Jharbera, Langalkata, Sanbalijodi and Mahupada villages of Relhatu panchayat wrecked havoc by blowing off school buildings, the GP office, PHC (New) and a health sub-centre. The Maoists vented out their anger at the villagers of the panchayat, who had revolted against them and took shelter at the K Balang camps for months. Administrative sources informed the Koida block office reconstructed the panchayat office with fund allocated from the periphery development head. Thereafter, at different points of time the reconstruction projects either fell victim to funds shortage, red-tapism like tender floating process and whimsicality of work executing agencies. The PHC and the sub-centre are under-construction from the fund of the NRHM, while six schools are to be completed by the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, work on the Jharbera ME School was finsihed recently.Works are moving at a snail’s pace as monitoring is weak due to hostile terrains, road communication being a major hurdle. Recently, electricity reached till Jharbera, but far more remote areas of Lagalkata and Sanbalijodi, on the Jharkhand border, are unsuccessfully crying for development. Villagers see some hope in the joint ‘area domination operation’ by forces of Odisha and Jharkhand which has visibly curbed Maoist activities.