ST panel chief comes forward in support of tribal community

Visakhapatnam:A directive has been issued to the officials from the forest department to support the construction of roads to villages situated on hilltop such as Chinnakonala and others under Ananthagiri mandal of ASR district.

The instructions were issued by chairman of state ST Commission Dr. D. V.G Shankara Rao, following recent protests by members of the tribal community. The protesters were blaming that officials from the forest department were creating ‘hurdles’ in the construction of the roads despite the allocation of funds for these projects.

The agitating tribal community people from Chinnakonala, Bhuriga, Vanija, and other villages under the non-scheduled Rompalli panchayat and NR Puram panchayat, were demanding since long the construction of roads to these remote areas. The laying of roads will help these villagers to have better access. Voicing frustration over delays, the protesting villagers stated that the construction of roads will make changes in their daily lives and livelihoods.

Hence, the chairman of the commission gave instructions to officials to submit detailed project reports outlining the allocation of funds and the reasons behind the forest department’s objections. “Roads are lifeline for people belonging to tribal community and lack of infrastructure will hamper their progress as well as access to services,” he said, adding, “Various departments should come forward and strategise so that the needs of tribal residents should be fulfilled without any further delays.”