Govt struggling to provide basic amenities in many tribal areas: Official

The government is facing difficulties in providing basic amenities such as water supply and electricity connection in many tribal areas as a number of Scheduled Tribe families do not live in communities, a senior official in the Tribal Affairs Ministry has said.

The official also acknowledged that the government has not been able to provide water connection in many schools for tribal children.

"In many cases, schools for tribal children are located in areas that lack sources of drinking water. Wherever possible, the government installed submersible pumps or dug bore wells," the official said.

When schools for tribal children were built 20-25 years ago, there was no concept of constructing toilets. Girls' hostels were set up but water supply was sanctioned later. In many places, water connection could not be provided at all, he said.

"You can dig bore wells, but what will you do if there is no groundwater? Many a time, the source of water is more than two kilometres away from schools," he said.

Tribal people are dispersed over a large area. They do not have a concept of living right next to each other. When Scheduled Tribes families construct houses, one structure is easily a hundred metres way from another, the official said.

It is very difficult for the administration to build roads and provide water connection and electricity in "typical tribal habitations" as the houses are located at a large distance form another, he said.

"It is only when they make some lifestyle changes, the government will able to provide them services," the official suggested.