Tamil Nadu - Udhagamandalam   

Free colour TV scheme has benefited tribals, says Minister

— Photo: D. Radhakrishnan

For their welfare: Adi-Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Minister Thamizharasi (third right ) giving away driving licence to a tribal woman at Ealamanna near Gudalur on Saturday.

Udhagamandalam: The free colour TV scheme has benefited tribals in a number of ways, said Adi-Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Minister Thamizharasi at Ealamanna near Gudalur on Saturday.

She was participating in a face-to-face programme organised by the Centre for Tribal and Rural Development Trust.

Pointing out that it was only due to the implementation of the scheme many of the tribal habitations in various parts of the Nilgiris had been electrified, she said that it had helped bring tribals and officials closer.

The indirect benefits of the scheme would bring about several welcome changes in the lifestyle of the tribals. Power supply had paved the way for implementation of education related schemes. The availability of power had increased the interest in reading among tribal children, the Minister said.

Adverting to the health related problems confronting various tribal communities, Ms.Thamizharasi said that officials should ensure that Sickle Cell Anamia was kept under control. Since the Government alone could not deal with all the problems, non-Governmental organisations such as the Centre should extend a helping hand.

Commissioner, Adi-Dravidar and Tribal Welfare, K.M.Subramaniam said that in helping tribals who lived in remote areas, NGOs acted as a bridge between the Government and the tribal communities.

Executive Director of the Centre R.S.Ranganathen said that a survey conducted recently in Gudalur and surroundings by some college students from Chennai had revealed that the impact of the free colour TV scheme on the tribals was significant. Some of the tribal hamlets were yet to be electrified, he said and expressed hope that the authorities would extend the facility to them as early as possible.

Chairman of Nelliyalam Panchayat Kasilingam presided. Coonoor MLA A.Soundarapandian and Director of Tribal Research Centre Jakka Parthasarathy spoke.

On the occasion, Ms.Thamizharasi distributed driving licences to 10 tribals including a woman. It had been facilitated under a TAHDCO programme. Centre coordinator Vijayaraju welcomed the gathering.

Earlier, the Minister visited the Tribal Research Centre at M.Palada and a Toda habitation near here.

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