Recent reports of infant deaths, underweight tribal mothers, alleged lack of medical facilities, dismal living conditions and adverse headlines prompted by sharp criticism from opposition parties prompted the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government to constitute a multi-departmental panel. inspired to do. To address the issues faced by the Scheduled Tribe families in Attapady, Palakkad.
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes Welfare Minister K. Radhakrishnan, who had visited Attappadi to study the ground situation, called a top-level ministerial meeting to address the problems faced by the tribals.
Finance Minister KN Balagopal, Excise Minister MV Govindan, Food and Civil Supplies Minister GR Anil and Health Minister Veena George attended the conclave.
medical section
In the meeting, it was decided to improve the facilities in the tribal hospital Kotattahara. The government will modernize the hospital’s pediatric ICU and special wing for women and children. Ms George said the health department would investigate the functioning of the public health centers in Attappady. A special team of doctors has visited the hospital. The government has also sent a state-of-the-art ambulance to Attapady.
Mr. Anil said that the government would ensure provision and door-to-door delivery of food kits. It will supply food items preferred by tribal families.
Shri Balagopal said that the government would sanction funds for Attappadi tribal development and allied schemes. The Excise Department will conduct awareness campaigns against the misuse of alcohol and provide de-addiction treatment to those interested in it.
self reliance
Shri Radhakrishnan said that recognized social health activists, scheduled tribe promoters and elected members of local government institutions would work together for tribal welfare. The aim of the state was to make the people of Attapady self-reliant. It was also decided in the meeting to recruit local people as government officials in the area.
Opposition’s stand
The opposition from the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had slammed the government for the plight of the Attappadi tribal population.
Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President K. Sudhakaran and BJP state president K. Surendran had visited Attappadi after the death of two infants. Media reports of undernutrition and lack of basic amenities, including piped drinking water, had not improved the government’s image.
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