Govt sanctioned Rs. 156 crore to provide drinking water and basic infrastructure in tribal areas.

Major Push for Tribal Development in Andhra Pradesh: Rs. 156 Crores Sanctioned for Drinking Water and Infrastructure

Vijayawada, May 9, 2025: In a significant move aimed at uplifting tribal communities in Andhra Pradesh, the state government has sanctioned Rs. 156 crore to provide drinking water and basic infrastructure in tribal areas. The announcement was made by Smt. Gummadi Sandhya Rani, Minister for Tribal Welfare, Women & Child Welfare, during a comprehensive review meeting held at the Tribal Welfare Department’s office in Vijayawada. The meeting included Project Officers from the state’s nine ITDA (Integrated Tribal Development Agency) projects and officers from various line departments.

Key Initiatives Announced:

Construction of compound walls in all tribal schools ahead of the new academic year in June.

Provision of safe drinking water to over 4,000 tribal villages, with the majority already receiving access.

Integration of essential services such as education, healthcare, irrigation, and roads in tribal areas, under the direct guidance of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Implementation of 2,000 Anganwadi centres and 1,268 mini Anganwadi centres to provide nutritious food to pregnant women and children.

Development of housing for those living in temporary huts, with 3 cents of land allocated in villages and 2 cents in municipalities for constructing permanent homes.

Minister’s Commitment to Tribal Empowerment

Addressing the press, Minister Sandhya Rani emphasized her dedication to tribal development, saying, “As a tribal woman myself, I am committed to transforming tribal regions.” She credited Minister Nara Lokesh for his proactive efforts in securing the Rs. 156 crore fund and initiating essential infrastructure work in time for the school reopening in June.

Healthcare and Nutrition

The government is also taking steps to appoint doctors who will reside in tribal areas to ensure reliable medical services. Special attention is being given to the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) to provide quality nutrition. Birth waiting halls have been set up for pregnant women, and the government is operating "Thalli-Bidda Express" vehicles to safely transport postnatal mothers and newborns home.

Interestingly, the Minister noted that normal deliveries occur more frequently in tribal areas than in urban centers.

Employment and Youth Development

The Minister revealed that over 2,000 government jobs under Mega DSC are earmarked for tribal youth. Skill development training is also being provided to tribal youth to improve their employability. Additionally, efforts are underway to distribute Aadhaar and ration cards through special drives for those tribal individuals who have not yet been enrolled.

Agricultural Boost and Araku Coffee Expansion

Highlighting agricultural initiatives, the Minister announced that world-renowned Araku coffee is being cultivated over one lakh acres this year. The government is placing special focus on both agriculture and horticulture in tribal areas.

Policy and Governance

The Minister mentioned that GO No. 3, which was previously ignored by the former government and later struck down by the Supreme Court, is being reconsidered. The current administration is working on introducing a new Government Order to safeguard tribal rights.

She also pointed out that although Andhra Pradesh has nine ITDAs, areas like Vijayawada and Nellore cannot be officially designated as tribal areas due to their demographic structure. She reaffirmed the state government’s vision, stating, “The Chief Minister dreams of an Andhra Pradesh free from the burden of tribal women having to carry loads on foot. We are all committed to realizing this vision.”