Minister for Tribal Welfare Gummadi Sandhya Rani said that the government is taking all measures to create infrastructure in tribal areas. She said that facilities like drinking water, education and medicine are being made available. A review meeting was held with 9 ITDA project officers and line department officers in the state at the Tribal Welfare Department office in Vijayawada on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister directed that basic facilities should be provided in all schools by June. She said that Rs. 156 crore has been sanctioned for this and work has started. She said that drinking water facilities have been provided in more than 4,000 tribal villages. She also said that ICDS programs are being linked with programs in tribal areas.
Sandhya Rani said that steps are being taken to provide good nutrition to children in tribal areas, and there are 2000 Anganwadi centers and 1,268 mini Anganwadi centers here. She said that permanent houses will be built for those living in Puri huts. She deplored that it has been found that there are mostly tribals in Paderu and Srisailam areas, some of whom do not have Aadhaar and ration cards.
The Minister said that a special drive will be organized for them and cards will be issued. She said that even though doctors have been appointed in tribal areas, they are not there, therefore it is not possible to provide medical services to tribals. She said that normal deliveries are happening more in tribal villages than in cities.
Sandhya Rai said that there are more than 2,000 jobs for tribals in Mega DSC, which will benefit the youth. He said that the previous government did not care about GO number 3, which is why the Supreme Court struck down that GO. She said that the issue of bringing a new GO in its place is under consideration.
The Minister said that since there are no tribal areas in Vijayawada and Nellore ITDL, they cannot be shown officially. She said that the government is working with the aim of making the state a state without dolis. Senior officials of the Tribal Welfare Department, ITDA POs and others participated in this meeting.
