806 tribal students hailing from villages in and around Denkanikottai Taluk given community certificates
Minister for Municipal Administration K.P. Munusamy (second left) hearing the grievances of children at Gullatti Goundanur village
near Denkanikottai on Saturday. Krishnagiri Collector C.N. Maheshwaran (left) is in the picture.- Photo: N. Bashkaran
As many as 806 tribal students hailing from villages in and around Denkanikottai Taluk were given community certificates on Saturday by Minister for Municipal Administration and Rural Development K.P. Munusamy.
Inaugurating the welfare schemes for tribal people at a function held at Forest Travellers Bungalow, the Minister said that the initiative was the first of its kind in the State. He said the entire government machinery in Krishnagiri was working hard in the last two months to find out the needs of tribal people residing in 45 hilltop villages in five panchayats under the Denkanikottai and Thalli Panchayat Unions.
Based on reports published in newspapers about prevalence of malnutrition among tribal children and lack of basic amenities in tribal villages, District Collector C.N. Maheshwaran, on April 10, instructed officials of various departments to visit these villages and find out the needs of the people.
It was found that about 15,480 people were residing in the 45 villages.
Based on the findings, Mr. Maheshwaran formed a Tribal Development Committee to implement development and welfare schemes in these villages.
Welfare aids
At the function held on Saturday, welfare aids were distributed to 18 villages, which needed immediate attention. As many as 329 beneficiaries were given housesite patta, 59 new ration cards were distributed and other welfare assistance to the tune of Rs. 1.79-crore was given to 1,967 people. Seven anganwadis were also opened. Minister lauded the efforts of the district administration.
Earlier Mr. Munusamy also inaugurated a water supply scheme at Gullatti Goundanur village.
He instructed the district administration to take immediate steps to admit 12 girl children of the village in Class IX and extend all help including hostel facilities.
Presiding over the programme, Collector C.N. Maheshwaran said that the media reports were an eye-opener for the district administration.
He said the Tribal Development Committee will discuss the issues of tribal people and bring it to the notice of the district administration. First Monday of every month, Hosur Sub-Collector will listen to the grievances of the tribals, he said.
A new scheme, initiated by Collector C.N. Maheshwaran -Adopt a Tribal Child to impart Education ( Malaivazh Makkalukkana Kalvi Thana Iyakkam )- was also launched. As many as 60 people including teachers, government officials promised to donate Rs. 5,000 each, soon after the launch of the scheme.
District Revenue Officer C. Prakasam, Hosur Sub-Collector Sandeep Nanduri, District panchayat chairman K. Ashok Kumar among others participated.
