Focus on economic uplift of tribals

RAMPACHODAVARAM: Union minister of state for defence MM Pallam Raju has said the Centre was committed to the economic uplift of tribals. Speaking after laying the foundation stone for development works worth `30 crore here on Sunday, he said the works would be executed as part of the Left Wing Extremism Scheme.Tribal welfare minister P Balaraju laid the foundation stone for a training centre. He said the officials should strive for the economic uplift of tribals by effectively implementing the schemes meant for their welfare. He said the Centre sanctioned funds for 70 Maoist-affected districts in the country under the Integrated Action Plan. Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, Warangal and Karimnagar in Andhra Pradesh are among the 70 selected districts. The Tribal Welfare Department is planning to allot two and half acres of land to each tribal family to raise horticultural crops. The government is also developing basic infrastructure in tribal villages. As many as 91 sub-daily requirements depots were allotted to Rampachodavaram, he said.For the first time, the maintenance of a hydel power plant was entrusted to self help groups in Vetamamidi village, which was set up at a cost of `7.5 crore. Setting up of two more hydel power plants are under way, the minister said.Rajya Sabha member T Ratnabai, Amalapuram MP GV Harsha Kumar, Rampachodavaram MLA KK Viswanadh, Prathipadu MLA PSN Murthi, collector Neetu Kumari Prasad, ITDA project officer C Naga Rani and others were present.