Somireddy Says Change Nellore ITDA’s Status Could Help Challa Yanadis
He is now preparing to take the issue to the centre, seeking a change in the Nellore ITDA status
TIRUPATI: Despite the state government’s welfare initiatives for tribal communities, sections of Challa Yanadi families in Nellore district are continuing to struggle owing to poor access to identity documents and government benefits.
Absence of basic documents has kept Challa Yanadi children away from nutritious food in schools, textbooks and uniforms. This brings into focus the status of Nellore Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), which comes under the plain area category.
Sarvepalli MLA Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy contends that tribal welfare initiatives for Challa Yanadis could be strengthened if the ITDA is brought under the scheduled category. This would
The legislator had earlier raised the condition of Challa Yanadis in the State Legislative Assembly. He has brought their plight to the notice of National ST Commission. He is now preparing to take the issue to the centre, seeking a change in the Nellore ITDA status.
Somireddy says he has decided to intensify his efforts after coming across a Challa Yanadi family living in poor conditions near Kanuparthipadu crossroads while travelling from Allipuram to Vedayapalem on Friday. He said the family had been staying under trees and one of the children did not have proper clothing.
“During my visits to different areas, I continue to come across children outside schools during class hours. They are mostly from tribal communities. There is a need to bring a permanent change in their lives", the MLA said. He maintained that moving Nellore ITDA from the plain area to scheduled category would help Challa Yanadi families receive more central government benefits.
Somireddy said he would soon meet the union Tribal Affairs minister Jual Oram along with Nellore MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy, Rajya Sabha member Beeda Masthan Rao, and AP union ministers to pursue the case.
A special grievance programme organised for tribals at Venkatachalam in Sarvepalli constituency revealed that many families are unable to access welfare schemes due to lack of Aadhaar and ration cards. Following a special drive, Aadhaar cards had been issued to 3,500 tribals in Sarvepalli. Later, a district-wide drive led to Aadhaar cards being provided to 11,500 tribals across Nellore district.