Kerala proposes new welfare scheme for tribals

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 21 : The Kerala government will implement a welfare scheme for the Tribals living in forests, replacing the existing one, with the help of the Forest Department, State SC/ST Welfare Minister A K Balan told the assembly today.

The scheme also proposes to distribute land to the landless tribals according to the availability of land and to provide houses to the homeless in a phased manner, he said, in a written reply to Ms P Ayisha Potti (CPI-M) and others.

Mr Balan said it would also give priority to provide basic facilities like drinking water, electricity, roads and sanitation to people belonging to Scheduled Tribes.

Besides this, the government would also take initiatives to increase their sources of income and employment by strengthening and reconstituting their co-operative societies.

The Minister said nearly 620 tribals had put up huts unauthorisedly at Aralam Farm in Kannur district. If 3,000 acres of land was available, it could be distributed to the tribals in that area, he added.

UNI