It is expected that the issues related to rehabilitation of Adivasis in different colonies in Kuttampuzha panchayat would be resolved soon, said P.K. Jayalakshmi, Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Tribes.
The State government would release aid for construction of homes, as soon as land is identified for rehabilitation, she said after visiting the families who have moved temporarily along the river banks in Pooyamkutty and Kandanpara areas.
A meeting presided over by the Chief Minister will held before July 15 to discuss the issues of identifying land and rehabilitating families from colonies here.
Kuttampuzha will also have a model Adivasi village, along the lines of five such villages conceived so far.
The financial aid for constructing homes for Scheduled Tribes has been increased from Rs. 1.15 lakh to Rs. 2.30 lakh, the Minister said.
All Adivasi families will be given free ration during the monsoon, as they were not able to cultivate and emergency assistance of Rs. 5,000 will be given to families staying in temporary shelters for thatching their roofs.
The local MLA and District Collector had visited the colony in April and instructed the authorities to initiate steps for setting up the township. However, a study made by the Divisional Forest Officer found out that the place identified for constructing township included the reserved forest areas of Chullipoovan and that there might be objection from the Union Government. Currently, 218 families live in Pooyamkutty colony.
The Minister also visited schools and hostels meant for Adivasi children during her visit. Steps would be taken to renovate the Government Tribal School at Pinavurkudy in Kothamangalam, Ms. Jayalakshmi said. The school has 191 students at present.
The State government will consider taking over the hostel at Kuttampuzha, which has been constructed at the cost of nearly Rs. 10 lakh with facilities including water storage, and also initiate steps like construction of bridge at Kunjipara-Thalavachapara area.
Discussions will be done at department levels for these, she said.
P.T. Thomas, MP; T.U. Kuruvilla, MLA; C.J. Eldose, president, Kuttampuzha panchayat; Jacob, president, Kothamangalam block panchayat; S. Shanavas, RDO, Muvattupuzha and other district level heads of different departments were present along with the Minister.