The Hindu : 20 cr. for development of grain banks in State

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 18, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Khammam

20 cr. for development of grain banks in State

By Our Staff Reporter

KHAMMAM, JAN. 17. K. Vivek Vinayak, Director of the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India, said here on Saturday that grain banks were being promoted in a big way in tribal pockets of the State as they have proved to be an effective option to outwit the impact of the drought and poverty conditions.

Addressing a news conference here, he said that Rs. 20 crores had been earmarked for the State for development of grain banks. He stated that about 200 tribal thrift groups from every district were being identified for setting up grain banks in the first phase.

Khammam, which had a predominant presence of tribal population, had over 8,000 self-help groups qualifying for the establishment of the grain banks. He said the group maintaining the grain bank would be given Rs. 64,000 of which Rs. 60,000 would be utilised for purchase of grain while Rs. 4,000 would be spent on godown space.

Grain banks proved useful to tribals in Srikakulam and Vizianagarm districts. They became a source of livelihood. In Khammam a non- governmental organisation had already been running some grain banks in the tribal pockets. The grain bank concept needed to be popularised in the areas where the malnutrition was a problem, Mr. Vinayak said.

He explained that seven Ekalavya model schools would be set up in the State. Costing about Rs. 2.5 crores each, the schools would function on the lines of the Navodaya schools. They would all be provided with own buildings.

In all, 300 documentaries were produced capturing the tribal culture, traditions and dance forms and they were being telecast on TV channels.

He explained that a three-day Girijana mela would be organised in Bhadrachalam from February 2.

Tribal Non-Governmental Organisations Federation would organise a tribal exhibition with the help of the tribal welfare department on the occasion. About 100 stalls would be put up at the exhibition showcasing the crafts of the tribal artisans.

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20 cr. for development of grain banks in State