More than 2,500 men and women belonging to the primitive tribal groups (PTGs) expressed resentment over the neglect they were facing from the Government in improving their lot, as they took out a rally and participated in the “siege ITDA” here on Tuesday.
Among their demands were issue of Antyodaya card to every PTG family, sanction of Rs. 1 lakh to each Indiramma house, PHCs for PTG villages, separate hostels, coffee and silver oak plantations, etc. and proper implementation of schemes and spending of funds meant for PTGs.
The AP Girijana Sangham, which organised the programme, mobilised the PTGs from 11 Agency mandals and the rally was led by CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat and former MPs M. Babu Rao and P. Madhu, district secretary Ch. Narasinga Rao, divisional secretary Killo Surendra, M. Suryanarayana and other leaders.
Impressive turnout
The turnout for the programme was impressive since the PTGs had to come from remote villages in the Agency area.
Mr. Madhu and others demanded that the Government implement all the benefits for which the PTGs were eligible under the various government schemes and Acts. Mr. Madhu charged the State Tribal Welfare Minister, who also hails from the Visakha Agency, with neglecting the lot of Girijans and students in Ashram schools and making money.
Mr. Surendra demanded the Government to appoint a district-level officer for the welfare of PTGs.
He urged the Girijans to continue the legacy of Alluri Sitarama Raju and secure their rights.
Before participating in the rally and protest programme, Ms. Karat visited the CHC here and found that in spite of it being upgraded as an Area Hospital one year ago, the infrastructure and other requirements remained the same.
This was the conditions prevailing in the area from which the Tribal Welfare Minister hails, she said.
The hospital was without a gynaecologist, paediatrician and surgeon.
Fill up doctors’ posts
Ms. Karat said all the doctors’ posts must be filled and full-time doctors, instead of contract doctors must be appointed.
