Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Tuesday said that his government would give priority to the development of Attapady tribal belt, with special emphasis on appointment of a nodal officer to coordinate the functioning of various departments.
The Chief Minister made this statement after receiving a report submitted by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala for the comprehensive development of the tribal region. Mr. Chennithala had prepared the report on the basis of his two-day campaign in the region.
Mr. Chandy said that steps would be taken to complete the construction of the proposed dam coming under the Attapady Valley Irrigation Project. The government would also pay attention to improving the functional efficiency of hospitals, schools and other government offices. The excessive consumption of liquor by Adivasis had been brought to the government’s notice.
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He said he would issue directions to take up repairs of Adivasi homes that had been constructed 40 years ago. Steps would be taken to make 2,500 acres of fallow land fit for agriculture. The government would identify issues that could be settled in the short term and long term, besides conducting adalats to sort out problems urgently.
Mr. Chennithala had in his report recommended expediting the development of the Scheduled Tribes hamlets in the area, besides taking firm steps to address the concerns of the tribals in connection with the windmill farms. He had also suggested the establishment of post-matric hostels for students, more girls’ hostels, and rehabilitation of unwed mothers. His recommendations touched on several issues covering education, health, drinking water, dairy development, and irrigation.