The Hindu : Front Page : Long-pending wish of tribals fulfilled

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Sunday, Jul 25, 2010
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Front Page

Long-pending wish of tribals fulfilled

Staff Reporter

157 tribals receive community certificates
Vada Kavunji residents get a new library

SAVARIKADU (KODAIKANAL): A three-decade-old dream of tribals in Savarikadu, Kadamandravu, Thamarikulam, Kombaikadu and nearby villages on lower Palani hills has come true.

Now, they can send their children to school and avail all benefits from the State and Central governments, thanks to issuance of community certificates by the district administration.

While 157 tribals at these villages received community certificates, 42 received ration cards and 23 persons at Saverikadu alone got house site pattas.

Differently-abled persons and mothers of two girl children also received financial assistance. Above all, Vada Kavunji residents have got a new library.

With no community certificate, the tribals could neither send their children to school nor avail State benefits. They were tired of knocking the door of all government offices, ranging from VAO to RDO, for certificate. At last, they gave petitions to the Collector last month.

After the combined efforts of all departments, including the police and planning, the district administration was successful in identifying real beneficiaries and issuing certificates within a short time.

Having received several benefits, the tribals living in huts on the declivity of hills narrated their struggle for drinking water. With no rain, they have been facing acute drinking water crisis. They had to walk two km to fetch a pot of water.

While distributing certificates to beneficiaries at Saverikadu on Saturday, Dindigul Collector M. Vallalar said that tribals in Palani and Sirumalai hills would be covered in the next phase.

With community certificate, they could avail all benefits. There would be no hindrance to their wards' education. A drinking water scheme, exclusively for these villages, would be implemented soon.

The district administration has also chalked out plans for their sustainable livelihood activities.

The tribals would be encouraged to rear livestock. Initially, they would be offered either turkey or cattle to rear near their houses. Backyard chicken concept would also be introduced.

The ‘Q' branch police, as part of community service, had already identified a dozen children from these villages and admitted them to a school and provided free boarding and lodging in Dindigul.

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