Bandipora, Sep 7: Even as the Government has been spending crores of rupees for upliftment of tribal communities, the benefits have not fully reached several remote villages here.
 For many remote villages here including Vewan, Bhutoo, Ketsan, Tanghat, Athwatoo and Doban, basic facilities are still a distant dream.
 Vewan and adjoining villages have no power and water supply, medical facilities, proper roads and transport facility. Ironically, people still use horses as major mode of transport. The villagers have been struggling for basic amenities and infrastructure for more than a decade. “Even for basic health care, we have to travel for 30 kms in hilly terrain to reach sub district Hospital in Bandipora,” said Saleem Ahmed a local.
 “Ironically, in absence of proper healthcare facility, we are forced to even carry expecting mothers to the hospital for delivery. In the process most of them develop complications,” said Ghulam Hassan of Vewan Village.
 Vewan has a primary school but there is no teacher. “Due to shortage of staff, the school has been closed. Officials open it just once in a week,” alleged the villagers. They said a primary health centre in the village has also been closed. 
 The villages said they have been running from pillar to post for community certificate to their wards and basic amenities for the past one year. “However, all our requests met with deaf ears,” they said.  
 Residents in the remote villages of the district appealed the Chief Minster Omar Abdullah to look into the matter and redress the grievances.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 7 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 7 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 8 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST