CM Naidu promises to end ‘Dolis’ in tribal areas of AP

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said the three-party coalition government in the State will embark various welfare measures for empowering girijans.

Observing that it is really pathetic to hear about ‘Dolis’ (carrying poor patients in accessible hilly terrain by lifting them in cots to nearby dispensary) when the whole world is talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI), he made it clear that steps will be taken to totally transform this kind of environment.

“Poverty will be completely eradicated among the tribals with a comprehensive plan and study circles will soon be established in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati exclusively for the Adivasis,” Naidu said addressing a massive gathering of tribals to mark the World Adivasi Day. The Chief Minister actively participated in the Dhimsa dance along with tribal women on this occasion and later presented saris to the Goddess of tribals.

Announcing that Chaitanyam 2.0 (Awareness-2.0) programme will be taken up soon for the overall progress of tribals, the Chief Minister said that road connectivity will be provided to 2,191 tribal villages.

Naidu also stated that safe drinking water will be supplied to every tribal household with an expenditure of Rs 2,373 crore and made it clear that the coalition government will not show any kind of discrimination against any section of people and no question of adopting vindictive politics.

“But I am making it clear that the huge amount of public money looted by the leaders of the previous government will be completely recovered and this amount will be spent for the welfare of the poor,” the Chief Minister declared. He also said that organic products will be encouraged more effectively besides giving a fillip to Araku coffee powder.

Naidu announced that the Paderu Medical College will be ready with Rs 500 crore while a museum will be set up at Lambasingi for the freedom fighters. “I am really concerned that the adivasis are born poor and are ending their lives in absolute poverty. This situation needs to be changed immediately,” the Chief Minister said.

Stating that the District Selection Committee (DSC) recruitments have been announced recently to fill 16,347 vacant posts, he said that free coaching will be provided to the adivasi candidates who want to appear for this test.

The previous government had withdrawn several welfare programmes, he said and added that all such schemes will be reintroduced in a more effective manner.

Asking the adivasi people whether justice was done to any single person during the previous government, the Chief Minister said that Anna Canteens will soon be set up in the tribal areas.

Naidu said that the Land Titling Act has been revoked to check the attempts made by the previous government to illegally grab the lands of innocent persons.