Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s statement in the Assembly on Tuesday that government officials had failed to effectively expend the funds sanctioned for the welfare of tribespeople in Attappady was only one side of the reality, assert tribal leaders and activists. According to them, transfer of honest officials and replacing them with incompetent persons at the behest of mafias had also contributed to the crisis in the tribal belt where almost all development initiatives are at a stand still now.
“Most of the multi-crore tribal welfare packages announced in the recent years by the Central and State governments for the Attappady region are remaining unimplemented with the authorities failing to depute a full-time project officer for the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP). The ITDP that handles tribal developmental works worth several crores of rupees for Attappady has been remaining headless for the last seven months after project officer P.V. Radhakrishnan was transferred out following political pressure. Though an officer, who underwent disciplinary action while working in Idukki, was appointed, he went on leave,” said R.J. Rajendra Prasad, who works with voluntary organisation ‘Thampu.’
“The officer was the first native to be appointed in the post but was transferred to Kasaragod due to alleged pressure from the contractor lobby. The government posted an assistant project officer last month but the situation turned complicated with the officer who went on leave refusing to transfer charge to the assistant officer,” he said.
Another honest officer who was shifted out from Attappady recently was K. Krishnan Kutty, the special officer for tribal affairs deputed by the Home Department. Though he earned appreciation from higher officials for taking serious efforts to prevent tribal land alienation and sexual abuse of tribal women, he was promoted and transferred as demanded by the mafias. The office of special officer was closed for ever after the transfer.
The Attappady Hill Area Development Society (AHADS) also was remaining headless as its director was removed from the post recently. Though the charge was given to Ottappalam Sub Collector, the IAS officer has to find extra time for AHADS amidst busy schedules of district administration.
Lack of coordination
Replying to questions in the Assembly on Tuesday, Mr. Chandy said that sanctioning of funds alone would not solve the problems in the tribal hamlets. Dedicated service of officials was also imperative. “The Chief Minister is partially true. In the absence of coordination among departments, 186 community kitchens opened last year to provide nutritious food, especially to pregnant and lactating tribal women, had lost steam. Funds crunch is also disrupting their daily functioning,” said M. Sukumaran of the Attappady Samrakshana Samiti.
Shortage of medical staff
“There is severe shortage of doctors and paramedical staff in hospitals and primary health centres in the region, despite a promise by the government to pay those willing an additional allowance of Rs.20,000 per month. The government tribal specialty hospital is still facing shortage of doctors and equipment,” Social activist P.M. Raveendran said.
“The promise of appointing an IAS officer with proven track-record to coordinate the packages still remains unfulfilled. Though retired IAS officer S. Subbarayan was posted as special officer for Attappady packages, he was later given the charge to set up the Palakkad Government Medical College. With the government giving priority to the medical college, the special officer left Attappady to focus on it and never returned,” Mr. Raveendran said.
No full-time officer posted for ITDP
AHADS remaining headless
