Govt. to distritbue land to landless tribals

Kannur, Kerala, July 7 (UNI) Kerala SC/ST Welfare Minister A K Balan today said the government would distribute half of the 7,558 hectare land at Aralam Farm among landless tribals of Kannur and Wayanad districts.

Participating in a meet-the-press programme of the Press Club here, he said the tribals of Kannur district would be given priority in distributing the land.

Mr Balan said a monitoring committee with District Collector and Revenue officials as members would select eligible tribals.

The Minister said the government would provide Rs 19,000, part of the Rs 75,000 alloted for constructing houses for the tribals, soon.

Besides this a sum of Rs 3,000 for repairig huts and another Rs 1,000 to purchase agriculture tools would be given to 840 tribals living in the Aralam Farm, he added.

Mr Balan also said a new bus would be allotted for the tribal children, as the bus which was operated by the Aralam Farm authorities was withdrawn. It would also set up a priminary health centre would also be set up at the Farm.

He said the State Electricity Board would open seven new sub- stations in the State at a cost of Rs 30 crore.

Earlier, the Minister held discussion with five tribal organisations on distribution of land to the landless tribals.

UNI AK CGV1845