Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here on Wednesday that proposals in the Solar Energy Policy of the government for use of tribal land for solar and other renewable energy projects would not lead to alienation of tribal lands.
Replying to questions at his weekly Cabinet briefing, the Chief Minister said that the proposals were aimed at ensuring a steady income to tribals. Their land was to be used for generating solar power under terms of an agreement that would bring in monthly revenues. They would not lose ownership of land.
Mr. Chandy said that the recent death of another infant in Attappady tribal areas was not on account of malnutrition or lack of care. It was a death that occurred under normal circumstances. The Health Department had reviewed the death.
He said that the Cabinet had sanctioned Rs. 6.5 crore for establishment of a super-speciality tribal hospital in Attappady.
He said that the Cabinet had decided to create the post of a Junior Consultant (Paediatrics) in Idukki since Shafeeq, who were rescued from the clutches of his father and step mother, who had tortured him, would need periodic examination by a paediatrician. The public health centre nearest to the place where Shafeeq is housed after his discharge from Vellore Medical College Hospital was Vazhathoppu. However, since a PHC could not have the post of a paediatrician, it was being created at the Idukki district hospital.