Even as crores of rupees had been sanctioned for projects for improving tribals’ lives, their living conditions had not improved a bit, complained tribal women associated with the Adivasi Samara Sangham and Adivasi Vimochana Munnani at a press meet here on Tuesday.
The tribal rehabilitation centre at Aralam Farm was devoid of basic facilities such as clean toilets and proper houses. The houses built by the Nirmiti Kendra and private contractors had leaky roofs and every announcement of emergency aid and packages for the tribals had remained on paper, they said at the meet.
The women said that the tribal population had to travel some distance to reach the nearest public distribution outlet and primary health centre situated a few km away at Keezhpalli. Raw rice was being distributed at the outlets, that too in insufficient quantities. The housing facility arranged at the 9th, 10th and 13th block of the farms were situated on hilly areas where crops could not be cultivated. The areas were prone to attack by wild animals.
The tribals were digging small pools near their houses for drinking water during the monsoon.
They said that all the promises of the Ministers had been unmet till date and pleaded not to turn Aralam Farm into another Attappady. They said they would hold protests against the apathy of the authorities. Their demands include renovation of their dilapidated houses; action against contractors who have not completed the construction of their houses; toilet facilities for all houses; wells for drinking water; power supply; hospitals and proper transportation facilities from the farm to outside.
