The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Special authority for tribal development planned: CM

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Monday, Jan 21, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Special authority for tribal development planned: CM

It will pave way for ‘total development’ of 60 lakh tribals

Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

NEW LOOK: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy sports tribal headgear at the valedictory of Girijan Utsav in Hyderabad on Sunday.

HYDERABAD: The State government plans to set up a special authority to pave the way for ‘total development’ of 60-lakh strong tribals in the State.

This was announced by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy here on Sunday at the valedictory of the nine-day ‘Girijan Utsav’ organised by the Tribal Welfare Department at Shilparamam.

Dr. Reddy said that the government would take up special schemes in June-July this year to ensure comprehensive development of tribals. The schemes envisaged three-four fold increase in revenue ranging from Rs.30, 000-50,000 from coffee, tobacco, cashew and mango plantations to be taken up in 10 lakh acres being allotted to tribals by the government. Pattas for these lands would be allotted in three-four months, he announced.

Poll promise

The land allotment, the Chief Minister stated, was part of the UPA government’s pre-election promise, as tribals raising crops in forest areas were not getting adequate financial benefits. The proposed special authority and schemes reflect the government’s seriousness in ensuring that fruits of development reach remote areas.

To achieve this the government was serious about providing adequate funds and opportunities to tribals. The opportunities included enabling them to raise coffee plantations. Each tribal family could earn as much as Rs. 40,000/Rs. 50,000 per acre if coffee production could be doubled using organic fertilisers, Dr. Reddy stated.

Prize winners

The Chief Minister gave away prizes to the winners of dance competitions organised during the utsav. The ‘Savara’ group of Srikakulam district bagged the first prize, while ‘Kommu Koya’ and ‘Chenchu’ won the second and third prizes respectively. The ‘Gusadi’ and ‘Dimsa’ groups were awarded consolation prizes. Earlier Dr. Reddy went round some of the 130 stalls put up for the utsav. He sported a tribal headgear and posed in a bullock-cart upon his arrival at the venue. Tribal Welfare Minister D.S. Redya Naik, presided.

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