CM clarifies comments on tribal infant deaths

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today refuted the LDF charge that he insulted tribals of Attappady by making certain observations on their plight in the context of the infant deaths in the area due to malnutrition.
"I have only mentioned certain realities regarding the death of tribal children due to malnutrition and ill health of mothers. The Government is approaching the issue in a comprehensive manner with the aim of bringing the tribal people to the manistream," he told reporters here.
In the interview, identifying the problems of malnutrtion, Chandy had said that the tribal people did not eat properly.

Stating that he stood by what he had said in the interview to an English magazine, Chandy said a section of media "misinterpreted" his views on the issue.
One of the most important things required in the Attappady tribal area was steady supply of foodgrain and health care, for which the government had taken effective steps, he said.
In the case of ration, the tribal people there preferred 'ragi' instead of rice as their traditional staple. Measures had been taken for supply of this grain in the area. Chandy said he did not say that consumption of liquor by expecting mothers was the main reason for infant deaths.

It was in fact public health expert Dr Ekbal, who headed the panel set up by the CPI(M) to study the tribal issue, said in his report that consumption of liquor was rampant among the people in Attappady, Chandy added.
On July 22, state Culture Minister K C Joseph had courted controversy stating that consumption of arrack by expectant tribal mothers was a major cause of death of infants in Attappadi tribal belt, drawing condemnation from CPI-M leader V S Achuthanandan.