CHANGING TIMES: Soon 200 bullock carts in tribal areas of Medak district will have pneumatic tyres, saving the animals from drudgery. — Photo: Mohd Arif

Sangareddy: To save draught animals from drudgery and to make the journey safe and comfortable for tribals in Medak district, the district's Tribal Welfare Department has decided to provide pneumatic tyres for 200 bullock carts on experimental basis. It is a common practice in 840 tandas in the district to transport paddy, sugarcane and wood by the bullock cart to far away places. The animals suffer a lot carrying the heavy loads on dusty roads and highways pitted against latest speed machines.

The department has decided to provide a financial assistance of Rs. 17,500 to each bullock cart for conversion of wooden wheels into the pneumatic tyres. Initially, the facility will be limited to predominantly tribal areas in Pulkal and Kondapur areas that have large tracts of sugarcane fields. Soon, the facility will be extended to Narayankhed, Kangti, Manoor and Kalher mandals where the tribals still depend on the bullock cart for transportation.

Loan facility

Explaining other programmes taken up for the welfare of tribals, District Tribal Welfare Officer Babu Bhukya told The Hindu that 6,000 women had formed into 450 self-help groups. He said that each member could avail of a loan of Rs.12,000, which could be repaid after five years. The department also provides training for the women in vocational courses.

Medak, which has a tribal population of almost 1.34 lakhs, has only 3,000 students pursuing courses varying from Intermediate to post graduation.

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