Benefits elude forest dwellers in Kodagu

Change in demands by beneficiaries reason for delay, claims dist admn

The government’s scheme of providing free food items, to people who dwell in forests for the six monsoon months has not been kicked off this year, due to the confusion created by beneficiaries.

The scheme which should have started in the month of June has been delayed, as the beneficiaries are changing their demands every year, complain district administration.
The families that dwell in forests get 15 kg rice/ragi, 2 kg tur dal, 2 kg jaggery, 1 litre cooking oil, 1 kg horse gram and 30 eggs every month. However, the beneficiaries who cannot make up their minds in choosing between ragi or rice, has posed a big problem for the administration.

There are 7,500 families who are benefited from the scheme. Each family is given 15 kg rice or ragi, then there is a need of 1,125 tonnes of food grain every month.

The district administration also faces difficulties in arranging for such huge amount of food grain every month.

Confusion

In 2011,all beneficiaries opted for rice. In 2012, the beneficiaries said that they prefer ragi over rice, and hence ragi was distributed.

The district administration thought that the people would prefer ragi this year and started making preparations for availing the food grain in the month of February. However, this year some families said that they do not want ragi, they want rice instead.Deputy Commissioner Dr N V Prasad, asked the Anganawadi workers to conduct a survey among the families, and ask for their preferred food grain. Majority of the families, opted for rice. Meantime, the town panchayat and assembly electio ns were announced and the tender process for ordering food grains was postponed.

The natives

The natives of Kodagu such as Jenu Kuruba, Yarava, Soligaru, Kudiyara among other communities dwell in forests.

Due to the heavy rains, that lash the district, the forest dwellers feel difficult to work and purchase food items. Due to lack of nutrition, many reportedly die too. Women and children are affected due to lack of nutrition. Many suffer from anaemia.The social welfare department has introduced the nutritious food scheme, in 2011 to help the native people.Integrated Tribal Development Programme Officers took the responsibility of identifying the beneficiaries.

The DC and Taluk Executive Officers are chairing committees with regard to the implementation of the scheme.

"It is not an easy task to arrange for a huge amount of food grain, especially when people change their choices every year. The demands of the natives has been sent to the government, and steps will be taken once the government sends directions," said DC Dr N V Prasad.