Tribal Welfare and Medical Services Prioritised at ZP Meeting in Visakhapatnam

 Visakhapatnam: Zilla Praja Parishad (ZPP) chairperson Jallipalli Subhadra urged medical officers to enhance healthcare services in the erstwhile Visakhapatnam district, particularly focusing on emergency care for tribal patients at King George Hospital (KGH).

Speaking at the Zilla Parishad General Meeting held in the Conference Hall on Wednesday, Subhadra reviewed the performance of various departments including agriculture, education, irrigation, health, drinking water, roads, and Panchayat Raj.

District collectors Harendhira Prasad (Visakhapatnam), Dinesh Kumar (ASR), Vijay Krishnan (Anakapalle), along with Madugula MLA Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy, Araku MLA Regam Matsyalingam, DCCB chairman Kona Tatarau, ZP CEO Narayana Murthy, ZPTC members, Mandal Parishad Presidents, and officials from various departments were present.

Subhadra stressed the need to improve facilities for doctors and staff in tribal areas to encourage long-term retention. She also encouraged the tribal community to avail services from the ST Cell operating at KGH.

Members suggested conducting separate sessions for council and general body meetings, to which Subhadra agreed. MLA Satyanarayana Murthy called for incorporating standing committee resolutions into the general meeting discussions.

Concerns were raised over proposed hydroelectric projects in Araku and Ananthagiri, with ZPTC member D. Gangaraju and others demanding a halt, citing environmental and agricultural threats. Collector Dinesh Kumar assured that the projects would proceed only after conducting village-level gram sabhas and passing appropriate resolutions.

During agricultural discussions, members demanded free seed distribution, guidance on seed selection, and greater awareness campaigns for schemes such as Annadata Sukhibhava and crop insurance.

Visakhapatnam collector Harendhira Prasad confirmed the continuation of land surveys initiated by the previous government. He stated that 250 acres had been demarcated for re-survey, and “revenue sadassulu” (public meetings) would help resolve land disputes. He also clarified that the Land Titling Act had been repealed.