VISAKHAPATNAM: Reiterating the government’s resolve of developing the tribal areas in the state, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said that a fund of Rs 5,000 crore had been earmarked for the purpose.Naidu, along with Governor ESL Narasimhan, took part in the ‘World Adivasi Day’ celebrations organised at Dr NTR Stadium in Araku here on Wednesday. Addressing a public meeting on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the government was doing its best for the welfare of tribals by strengthening all the ITDAs across the state on all fronts.
“Besides allocating Rs 3,528 crore under the ST sub-plan, the government is spending nearly 5,000 crore on the welfare of tribals,” he said. Referring to Araku, he said plans were afoot to transform the picaresque valley into a hub of eco-tourism in Andhra Pradesh. “An Eco-Tourism Circuit Project has been designed for Araku in public private partnership (PPP) mode involving an investment of Rs 110 crore under which venture tourism and waterfalls will given a boost,” he said. Very soon, Araku will be made a world class tourism and healthcare centre. “The government had stopped the bauxite mining as per the wish of the people. We will take up construction of the 16.52-km road in Araku town at a cost of Rs 5 crore and a forest resort at Lambasingi with investment of another Rs 5 crore,” Naidu said.
Referring to the Araku coffee, Naidu said, at present, more than 1.5 lakh acres is under the coffee plantation and and the government is determined to extend it up to 5 lakh acres to promote the Araku coffee which has already become a global brand. He also promised job opportunities to the tribal youth by establishing an apparel park and directed the GCC soaps factory authorities to pay minimum wages to the workers. To promote tourism, the government will organise a ‘Balloon Festival’ in Araku next year, Naidu said. Naidu announced a Government Women Degree College at Araku.
“All check dams in the Agency will be grounds. Our aim is to provide good food, drinking water, comfortable shelter, good education and suitable employment to all the tribal families. I promise you that Pedalabudu will be transformed into a model village very soon,” Naidu said. Ministers Ch Ayyanna Patrudu, Ganta Srinivasa Rao and N Anandababu, ZP chairperson L Bhavani, Tribal Welfare principal secretary RP Sisodia, MLAs Siveri Soma and Kidari Surveswar Rao and officials were present. Extensive security arrangements with nearly 2,000 police were also made.
Governor launches websites
Governor ESL Narasimhan launched the Chandranna Kranthi Yojana (LED bulbs distribution) and Aadivasi Aarogya Yojana websites. Naidu and Narasimhan distributed nearly Rs 220 crore worth assets to some 20,000 beneficiaries under various welfare schemes.