Minister for the Welfare of SC/ST and Backward Classes A.K. Balan has assured all possible support to address the several problems faced by the residents of the Njaraneeli tribal area.
During a visit to the tribal area on Thursday, Mr. Balan interacted with the residents and enquired about the problems that hindered their welfare. He also consoled the grieving family of the 18-year-old girl, who allegedly committed suicide recently.
The Minister instructed District Collector S. Venkatesapathy to submit a detailed report pertaining to the inadequacies in basic infrastructure there within a month. He added that an expert team that included a psychiatrist would soon visit the tribal settlements to understand the sociological problems that existed in the region and to suggest measures to address them.
Mr. Balan, who was apprised of the increasing addiction among the youth towards liquor and other substances, instructed officials of the Excise Department to intensify measures to rein in the situation. The local residents also raised the difficulties caused by the lack of proper water supply schemes and the frequent destruction of vegetation by wild animals.
Later, he convened a meeting of people’s representatives and senior officials of various departments. D.K. Murali, MLA; district panchayat president V.K. Madhu; Scheduled Tribes Development Department director P. Pukazhenthi; Scheduled Castes Development Department director Ali Asgar Pasha; and Superintendent of Police (Thiruvananthapuram rural) P. Ashok Kumar were present.
