Where is Inclusive growth for the BONDA Tribes?

A bank near their habitat still remains a distant dream for the primitive Bonda tribals of Malkangiri district in Odisha at a time when the Centre is planning to drag Indians towards cashless digital transactions.

Bondas are considered to be one of the most primitive tribes in the world. With time they have got linked with the banking process. But to reach their nearest bank branch at Khairaput, they have to travel over 12 km.

These tribals either have to walk through the hilly terrain or spend at least Rs. 50 for to and fro travel to Mudulipada by a passenger vehicle. It is said that banking agents also do not prefer to visit the remote villages. Security threat due to Maoist presence as well as lack of telephone and Internet connection in this remote region inhabited by Bondas is said to be the reason beind non-opening of a bank branch at Mudulipada.

Remote villages:

        As per an official survey in 2015, around 8000 Bonda tribals live in 32 villages of four panchayats under the Khairaput block. Their villages are located in remote and isolated hilly region in the northwest of the Machhkund river. Their remote habitat in Khairaput block is called Bonda valley.

        Project leader of Bonda Development Authority (BDA) Manga Panna said the State Bank of India had agreed to open a branch at Mudulipada, but it has not materialised yet. In the past, the issue of opening of bank at Mudulipada has also been taken up with the State government, administration and bank authorities. Bank officials are also sceptic about transportation of cash to this remote place traversing roads that passes through Maoist-infested hilly forest region. Added to it, bank staff may also not be ready to work at Mudulipada as it lacks basic modern amenities.

Barter system:

        Due to continuous efforts of the administration and BDA, the Bondas have left behind their old barter system and accepted currency notes as mode of transaction. “Most Bonda families now have bank accounts, but lack of proximity to a bank branch is posing a problem,” Mr. Manna added.

        They have accounts in branches of the SBI and Utkal Gramin Bank at Khairaput. To get their allowances, various monetary support from government as well as for other transactions, the Bondas are compelled to travel to their bank branches at Khairaput. After demonetisation these tribals had also lines up at bank branches at Khairaput to exchange or deposit their old Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 notes.

       The BDA feels if a permanent bank branch is not possible to be established at Mudulipada, bank authorities can take up measures to have camp banking there for at least three days in a week, said Mr Manna.

      -the hindu