Government sops are meant to uplift the poor, but such goodwill doesn't seem to be working in the favour of tribal communities living in the naxal-affected Bastar district in Chhattisgarh. A recent survey conducted by doctors from the Diabetic Association of India (DAI) in Pune, has found a direct link between the alarming rise in lifestyle diseases among Bastar's villagers and distribution of free or subsidised food by the government. The reason: Free food is apparently making people lazier.

A group of retired doctors with DAI has been organising free health check-ups and surveys in tribal pockets across Maharashtra. Two years ago, after conducting a health survey in the Bhambaragadh and Hemalsakar areas of Gadchiroli in Maharashtra, the doctors were asked to carry out a similar drive in Chhattisgarh. On September 22 this year, a team comprising Dr Ramesh Godbole, Dr Mukund Kannur, Dr Bala Kulkarni, Dr Anil Kulkarni and Dr Neelkanth Khandkar from Pune, finally visited the villages of Barsur, Temaru Bhata, Muda Tikar, Salfi Bhata, Godel Aama, Madse and Erpund, in Dandewadi, Bastar.