The State government that has been promoting the traditional crops in tribal habitations reaped rich dividends.
As part of the Mission Sampoorna Poshan Abhiyan, the state government has involved 2,500 tribals in Kumarambheem Asifabad district who were cultivating traditional millet crops on 1,000 acres.
As a result, the maternal mortality rate due to anaemia among tribals had come down to zero from 18 percent. Now the children and new mothers are getting good nutrition due to the efforts made by the state government.
Tribal welfare minister Ms Satyavathi Rathod said for a tribal population of 16 crore in the country, the Central government allocated just Rs 8,000 crore but for a tribal population of 38 lakh in Telangana, the chief minister Mr KCR allocated Rs 16,655 crore.
The state government had set up 22-degree colleges (including 15 women’s colleges). The tribals students are being encouraged to pursue higher education in foreign countries.
The state government is also encouraging Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC) and promoting its products. The GCC is operating 18 petrol bunks and planning to start another 19 petrol bunks that envisage the economic empowerment of tribals. To preserve and promote the tribal culture and traditions, the Telangana government also set up exclusive tribal museums across the state and is now planning to set up another one dedicated to God warrior Ramji Gond with an estimate of Rs 15 crore.
Honouring the tribals’ slogan of `Mavo nate mavo raj’ which means `our rule in our habitation’ – the Telangana government provided them an opportunity as sarpanches in 3,146 tribal habitations. For the improvement of roads in tribal areas, Rs 1,000 was allocated and Rs 3,467 crore for providing three-phase power to all tribal habitations.
The tribal welfare minister Ms Satyavathi Rathod said Rs 600 crore was allocated for the construction of permanent buildings for Gram Panchayats in tribal areas.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao