Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday said the government would give powers and funds to local bodies, the elected representatives of which should take the responsibility of development of their areas.
The Chief Minister observed that sarpanches, MPPs, MPTCs, ZPTCs were not strong and were not doing enough for the development of their gram panchayats and mandals.
Mr Rao was addressing a massive gathering at the historical Jodeghat village after unveiling the statue of Komaram Bheem and laying the foundation stone for a tribal museum and memorial in memory of Komaram Bheem on his 74th death anniversary at Jodeghat.
“The state government is giving autonomy to local bodies so that they can take decisions regarding development of their areas,” Mr Rao said.
He added that the government would co-nvert the Lambadi Thandas and Adivasis’ Gudems into gram panchayats in a scientific manner after meeting with the public representatives of the local bodies and MLAs.
Mr Rao stressed that prevention was better than cure as far as tribals falling prey to seasonal diseases was concerned and observed that just creating better medical facilities would not solve the problems and that awareness about preventive measures among the tribals was needed.
“Lack of a balanced diet among adivasis is the main reason for their poor immunity,” Mr Rao said, observing that Kalajatha should create awareness in their mother tongue, Gondi, about these facts among the adivasis to improve the health situation in the tribal areas. He also said safe drinking water would be provided to all the houses in the tribal areas through the proposed water grid.
Mr Rao reiterated that the Jodeghat area would be developed as a tourist destination with international standards and said that he would soon release Rs 25 crore toward the construction of a memorial and tribal museum on 100 acre at Jodeghat.
He also announced Rs 10 lakh financial help to Komaram Bheems’ grandson Sonerao’s family and assured government jobs to Mr Sonerao’s children Madhavaro and Ms Varalaxmi.
The Chief Minister said a new district would be named after Komaram Bheem and promised to construct Banjara and Adivasi Bhavans at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad.
Minister for forest and environment Jogu Ramanna said the state government was committed to the welfare and development of tribals and observing Komaram Bheems’ death anniversary on a grand scale at Jodeghat was an indication of this.
Source: Deccan Chronicle