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Voices From India's Poorest District: Bolangir

Ironically, more than half of those surveyed in this perpetually cursed, drought-prone district think the government is doing enough to improve their lives.

Outlook News Desk

Updated on:

SURVEY

Voices From India’s Poorest District: Bolangir

Outlook
asked GFK Mode to do a survey of this perpetually cursed, drought-prone Bolangirdistrict in Orissa. Twenty villages with a population of over 200 were selected.Touchingly, more than half of them think the government is doing enough to improve theirlives.

Do you think the government’s welfare schemes actually work?
They are riddled with corruption
63
Yes, they work
35
DK/CS
2
Do you think the government policies are helping the rich more than the poor?
No
56
Yes
42
DK/CS
2
Have the prices of daily commodities increased a lot in the last year?
Yes, to some extent
33
Yes, to a great extent
66
DK/CS
1
In times of crises, like drought, did you get any help from the government?
No
82
Yes
18
Is the government doing enough to improve your life?
No
47
Yes
52
DK/CS
1
What is the one thing you want the government to do to radically change your life?
Ensure employment
15
Improve infrastructure and health services
3
High government subsidies
3
Help in agriculture
32
Higher and cheaper loans
47
Have you ever participated in a government scheme?
No
20
Yes
80
Do you think the schemes help/have helped in improving your life?

Those who have participated in government schemes:

Helped/will help to a great extent
13
Helped to some extent
86
DK/CS
1

Those who have never participated:

Helped/will help to a great extent
15
Will help to some extent

82

DK/CS
3
How many days in a month are you employed?*
Less than 14 days
3
21-28 days
31
14-20 days
66
*Those who don’t own farm land
Asked to persons who are aware of government-initiated employment generation schemes

Have you ever tried getting work through state job schemes?

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No
50.6
Yes
49.4

If yes, have you worked under such schemes?

No
65.1
Yes
34.9
What is your monthly household income?
Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,999
3
More than Rs 7,000
2
Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,999
37
Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,999
58
What is the mode of payment in your remuneration?
Cooked food
3
Food Grains
23
Cash
74
Does your child go to school?

6-13 yrs

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14-18 yrs
19-22 yrs
Yes
91
35
11
No
9
65
89

Does your child get mid-day meals in school?
Base: Children who go to school

6-13 yrs

14-18 yrs
Yes, gets it daily
82
19
Yes, but not daily
4
0
Never gets its
7
75
DK/CS
7
6
What is your main source for drinking water?
Dirty water
11
Clean water
89
Is there a toilet in your house?
Yes
4
No
96
How far is the nearest primary healthcare centre for you?
18-20 km
10
12-13 km
30
10-11 km
10
2-5 km
25
6-9 km
25
What healthcare facilities are available in your village?
Untrained dai
100
Quack/ kaviraj, doctor
80
Trained dai
60
Auxiliary nurse, midwife
30
Homeopathic doctor
10
Ayurvedic doctor
5
Methodology: In each village, 10 eligible respondents were selected and interviewed ensuring geographical dispersion. The total sample was 201. The study was carried amongst adults of age group 20-45 years. Male-female ratio of 60:40 was maintained. It was conducted with the help of a close-ended questionnaire. All the interviews were conducted in Oriya.
DK/CS is Don’t Know/Can’t Say. All figures in percentage

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