CM seeks fortnightly report on tribal welfare

Andhra Pradesh chief minister K Rosaiah on Sunday directed the officials concerned to submit a fortnightly report on the progress of schemes and projects aimed at the welfare of tribals and below poverty line (BPL) families living in remote areas.

“The state government has given top priority to the development of remote and interior areas with a focused plan of action to promote both rural infrastructure and welfare activities in a phased manner. Faster development of remote areas is very important to wean away youth from joining militant movements,” he said.

In a press release issued today, the chief minister said a sum of Rs 3,842 crore had been earmarked for rural development in the state for the current year to promote roads, drinking water, housing, employment generation and comprehensive development of lands of rural poor.

“The state government has also set up a Remote Area Development Board with a corpus of Rs 538 crore. Under the scheme, it was proposed to extend Rs 5,000 to each tribal farmer family to develop their land,” Rosaiah said, adding the Centre considered Andhra Pradesh a role model in promotion of welfare and development activities in tribal and remote areas.

He said the the state topped the country in the land distribution programme, under which it had disbursed nearly 800,000 acre to landless poor and tribals in five phases. The government has proposed to develop around 1.3 million acre of forest land for the benefit of tribals.