AP’s Largest Populated Paderu ITDA Facing Leadership Vacuum
Established in 1974 under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, ITDAs function under a unique single-line administrative model.
Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh is home to over 2.7 million tribal citizens, who are spread across eight Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs). Among these, the Paderu ITDA serves nearly 750,000 people, making it the largest agency in the state.
Given its scale and strategic importance, Paderu ITDA requires focused attention and sustained institutional support. However, the current leadership vacuum is threatening to undermine its mission.
Several key positions, including project officer, assistant project officer, Tribal Welfare deputy director, Coffee Board assistant director, Employment Guarantee Scheme coordinator, and Agriculture project officer, have no permanent appointees. Only in-charges are running them, with major tasks left for someone else to take up.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, CPM leader K. Govinda Rao of ASR district criticised this administrative neglect. He stated, “The post of project officer has been vacant for six months. Without a permanent officer, tribal development is severely hindered.”
Established in 1974 under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, ITDAs function under a unique single-line administrative model. The collector chairs the ITDA, while the project officer has special powers to coordinate programmes across different departments. This role is crucial, especially since both the central and state governments allocate dedicated funds for tribal development. This requires effective and determined functioning. Without a permanent project officer, implementation of various programmes stagnates. Accountability takes a backseat.
The leadership gap at Paderu began on January 20, when the long-serving project officer V. Abhishek shifted to become the administrator of Polavaram Project. Since then, joint collector Dr. M.J. Abhishek Gowda has been temporarily managing the ITDA, a stopgap arrangement that tribal leaders say is inadequate.
Tribal mass organisations argue that despite reviews by Tribal Welfare minister, chief secretary, and commissioner, there is a lack of urgency and commitment in addressing Paderu’s needs.
Tribal associations have expressed disappointment with minister Gummidi Sandhya Rani, who oversees ASR district as the in-charge minister, saying she has not taken firm action to fill key vacancies.
Observers express concern that the current NDA coalition government may neglect the Paderu ITDA, just as its predecessor did.
