Rs 112-cr package for Attapaddy tribal belt

Palakkad (PTI): The Centre will come out with Rs 112 crore comprehensive development package for Attappady tribal belt in the district from where infant deaths due to malnutrition were reported in recent days, said Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh on Thursday. Talking to reporters after visiting the tribal villages along with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Ramesh said that a special machinery would be set up to monitor the implementation of schemes under the package. An amount of Rs 50 crore would be sanctioned for three panchayats in Attappady in the coming five years through the self-help group 'Kudumbashree', he informed. Steps also would be taken to provide houses to tribals under the Rajiv Aavas Yojana, he added. Chandy said that land would be provided to all landless tribals in the area. Skill training would be given to the selected 500 tribal youth, he said adding that jobs will also be provided to them. According to official figures, as many as 28 tribal children had died in the last six months due to various health problems, including malnutrition, poor health of mothers and failure to provide prompt pre and post maternity medical aid. Earlier, Ramesh asked the Kerala Government to launch an anti-alcholism campaign in the tribal hamlets.