The formalities for allotting land to the tribal people of Vachumaram and Pukalappara colonies at Athirappilly panchayat have been completed, said P K Jayalakshmi, Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Tribes. The land would be allotted to them without affecting the ecological balance of the area, the minister said after visiting the colonies on Saturday.
The adivasis in the area put forth their issues and demands before the minister during the visit.
The minister also assured the people that issues such as shortage of potable water, non-availability of kerosene, lack of health facilities and the monkey menace affecting the area, would be addressed at the earliest, through the office of the District Forest Officer (DFO) and Tribal Development Officer (TDO). A meeting of officials of the departments concerned would be convened soon to address the problems, the Minister assured them. With the help of the Police and Excise Departments, the nagging alcoholic menace and selling of hooch in the colonies would be curbed. The minister also promised to initiate steps to electrify the colonies.
The Minister also launched a learning package based on tribal dialects for students of the Government Welfare L P School, at a function held at the school in Athirappilly. There are nearly 35 tribal groups and 36 tribal dialects in the area and the people of the region are seeking the development of the area without jeopardising this rich heritage, the Minister said.
The Minister also distributed uniforms to students at the function. She congratulated teachers and students of Vettilappara Government Higher Secondary School, which secured cent per cent result in the SSLC examination. K P Danapalan MP, B D Devassy MLA, district panchayat president K V Dasan, block panchayat president Filso Thankchan, Athirappilly grama panchayat president Baby K Thomas, among others, participated.