Tribes, officials meet Murmu President in Rashtrapati Nilayam

President Droupadi Murmu met ITDA PO with Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and Tribal Welfare Minister Satyavathi Rathod

Kota Gooden: Tribal Welfare Secretary Christina Z Chongthu said ITDA officials are using funds from the Center and the Telangana government to try to promote the development of the Kondareddis, Chenchus and Kolam tribes living in remote villages within ITDA’s boundaries.

President Droupadi Murmu along with Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and Tribal Welfare Minister Satyavathi Rathod met ITDA POs, Special Secretaries, Additional Directors and Tribes from the state’s three ITDAs in Rashtrapati Nilayam, Hyderabad on Thursday.

Chongthu explained to the President that steps such as running domestic demand warehouse by GCC, TRICOR loans, setting up RO factories, daily supply of nutritious food to pregnant women and children through Giriposhana are being taken for the welfare tribes, a statement from Bhadrachalam ITDA said.

Likewise, measures have been taken such as furnishing and uniforms for students in schools, Anganwadi centres, building houses, increasing livelihood of tribal youths and women by building shopping malls.

Chongthu noted that under the special initiative of the ITDA Program Officer (PO), tribal villages are developing infrastructure and providing special financial assistance to girls studying in schools and students in higher education.

Implementation of government welfare programs will prioritize tribes. The tribe was excited to meet and interact with the president for the first time, the official said.

The President and Governor appreciated the efforts of the Tribal Welfare Department and ITDA PO for tribal welfare and pledged to contribute to the development of the tribe.

Special Secretary for Tribal Welfare E Sridhar, Bhadrachalam ITDA PO Gautham Potru, Utnoor PO K Varun Reddy, Eturunagaram PO Ankit, Additional Director Sarveswar Reddy and SO Suresh Babu were present.