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New Indian Express
3 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Lights up: Jeelugulova tribals celebrate freedom from darkness
VISAKHAPATNAM: For the first time, the tribals of Jeelugulova, a remote PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group) hamlet atop Samalamma Hill in Cheemalapadu panchayat of Ravikamatham mandal in Anakapalle district, have seen electric lights brighten their village. Marking the occasion with joy and emotion, the villagers celebrated the moment with traditional Dhimsa dance on Sunday night. The hilltop village, home to eight families and around 50 people, has long lived in darkness, relying on fire torches and kerosene lamps. Surrounded by dense forest and facing the constant threat of wild animals after nightfall, the villagers spent many years in fear and isolation. 'Even to charge a mobile phone, we had to walk nearly 7 kilometres to Bangaru Bandalu, the nearest village with a power supply. Night travel often came with the risk of snake bites and injuries,' the tribals recalled. Some years ago, a few solar panels were provided to the village by social workers, offering limited relief from darkness. However, villagers recall that these panels often became ineffective during heavy rains, as they were prone to flooding. The residents, belonging to the Kondh tribal community, primarily depend on cashew cultivation for their livelihood, while turmeric farming also supports their seasonal income. Over the years, Jeelugulova's residents repeatedly raised their concerns at Zilla Parishad meetings in the erstwhile united Visakhapatnam district, requesting basic infrastructure like electricity and roads. 'Recognise us as people, give us light,' they had appealed, often holding torches during protests. After repeated protests, their plea eventually drew the attention of the National Human Rights Commission and senior district officials. In 2022, the then District Collector of Anakapalle, Pattanshetti Ravi Subash, along with Narsipatnam RDO Ronanki Govinda Rao and other divisional officials, visited the village. Jeelugulova tribals thank EE & Collector Following the visit, the administration issued Aadhaar and ration cards and promised electricity, drinking water, and road connectivity. However, the promises took time to materialise. Now, under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) Scheme, Jeelugulova finally has access to electricity. The villagers expressed heartfelt gratitude to the executive engineer of the electricity department and the district collector for fulfilling a long-standing need. Residents Korra Balaraju and Korra Mahesh, along with K Govinda Rao, district committee member of the CPI(M), conveyed their thanks to the officials who helped bring light to their village.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Hope on the horizon: Konda Reddis may soon get homes
Hyderabad: High in the remote forested hills of Bhadradri Kothagudem district, the Konda Reddi tribal community—a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG)—may soon find a new kind of shelter: Permanent homes, if they choose to accept them. On Saturday, a quiet but significant outreach began. Govt officials made contact with the Scheduled Tribe community as part of the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN), a central initiative aimed at uplifting 75 identified PVTGs across India. Among them are the Konda Reddis, known for their resilience, self-reliance, and a long-standing preference for life deep within the forests—away from roads, towns, and the reach of development schemes. For decades, the Konda Reddis have resisted leaving their forest homes, despite repeated appeals by govt departments urging them to move closer to accessible villages or towns. Even basic services—like internet connectivity—are nearly impossible in these remote areas. During a recent visit to one of the Konda Reddi habitations, officials could not complete digital data collection because there was no network. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Dark Truth Nobody Talks About! Expertinspector Click Here Undo Instead, they noted details manually, a first step in what is expected to be a long process of building trust. Now, a comprehensive survey is underway in eight habitations across Aswaraopet and Dammapeta mandals, where the govt hopes to reach each of the estimated 1,300 Konda Reddi residents. In 2023, officials had already made progress by enrolling 692 voters from the community, a milestone in bridging the gap between the forest dwelling group and the democratic process. Officials say that while many families have made attempts to build rudimentary shelters, all of them still live within reserved forest areas, making formal infrastructure development challenging and often legally complex. Recognising their steadfast refusal to leave these ancestral lands, the govt had earlier granted podu pattas—land rights for cultivation—to the community. Now, under PM JANMAN, the next big step is housing. On a saturation basis, every Konda Reddi family without a house will be sanctioned one—no one will be left behind, an official assured. The proposed homes will be modelled after the Indiramma housing scheme, reflecting the Telangana govt's approach to inclusive development, he said. Still, officials acknowledge that the path ahead depends as much on consent as on policy. "We are not forcing anyone. These houses will be built only if the community agrees. It's their choice," a senior official told TOI. The challenge is not merely about construction, but about coexistence—preserving the cultural autonomy of the Konda Reddis while slowly weaving them into the fabric of public welfare and rights, the official added.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Cabinet clears 351cr for Wayanad township plan
Thiruvananthapuram: The state cabinet on Wednesday granted administrative sanction for Rs 351 crore for the Wayanad township programme. Work on the project will commence once KIIFCON, a subsidiary of KIIFB, issues technical clearance. The cabinet also gave conditional approval for appointing Mumbai-based STUP Consultants Ltd to prepare the detailed project report for the proposed Sabarimala greenfield international airport. The consultancy fee, fixed by KSIDC, is Rs 4.366 crore. A committee led by the chief secretary has been tasked with resolving implementation hurdles for the airport project. The cabinet approved covering the medical expenses of renowned sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman, who is undergoing treatment in a private hospital. The funds will be released from the chief minister's distress relief fund (CMDRF). Approval was also given to a Rs 57.56 crore project under the PM JANMAN scheme for electrifying 261 tribal houses across 22 tribal settlements in the state. In addition, projects worth Rs 2.76 crore for electrifying 84 more houses will be submitted to the govt. The cabinet cleared the Asian Development Bank-funded 24x7 drinking water project to be implemented by the Kochi Municipal Corporation under the Kerala Urban Water Supply Improvement Project. A consultancy contract for the loan implementation support unit will be signed for Rs 299 crore.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala cabinet sanctions Rs 351 cr for Wayanad Township project
Wayanad township project for the rehabilitation of the survivors of the massive landslides in the hill district last year which claimed over 200 lives. The cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan granted administrative sanction for the amount, which also includes the initial cost of the project, subject to the technical approval to be given by KIIFCON, a subsidiary of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), a statement by his office said. The cabinet also validated the amount of Rs 17 crore deposited in the Kerala High Court in connection with a case filed by Elstone Tea Estate Ltd seeking enhanced compensation for the land acquired from them for the township project, the statement said. It further said that the cabinet also decided to allocate Rs 20 crore to the Wayanad Township Special Officer, from the CM's relief fund, for payment of advance amount to the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) after signing the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with it. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Khai thác toàn bộ năng lượng mặt trời năm 2025 — Lắp đặt, bảo trì và nâng cấp hệ thống Tấm Pin Mặt Trời | Quảng Cáo Tìm Kiếm Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The township project was necessitated after a major landslide struck the Mundakkai and Chooralmala regions of Wayanad on July 30 last year, almost completely decimating both areas. The disaster left hundreds injured, claimed over 200 lives, and 32 persons remain missing. Live Events Vijayan recently assured the timely completion of the township construction, which commenced on April 12. The work began a day after the Kerala High Court paved the way for the state government to take possession of the Elstone Estate land, meant for the project, after depositing an additional Rs 17.77 crore. The cabinet also approved the decision of the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) to appoint STUP Consultants Private Limited, Navi Mumbai, as a consultant for the preparation of the detailed project report and related works for the Sabarimala Greenfield International Airport project with a consultancy fee of Rs 4.366 crore, the statement said. It also said that the cabinet ordered the formation of a committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to resolve issues related to the progress of the airport project. The cabinet also approved the detailed project documents submitted by the Kerala State Electricity Board in connection with the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) scheme. The documents relate to electrification of 261 houses of tribals belonging to the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in 22 partially electrified tribal areas of the state, the statement said.
