Malnutrition: Rs 112 cr package for Attapaddy tribal belt

The Centre will come out with a Rs 112 crore comprehensive development package for Attappady tribal belt in the district from where infant deaths due to malnutrition were reported in recent days, Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh today said.
Speaking to reporters here after visiting the tribal villages along with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Ramesh said a special machinery would be set up to monitor the implementation of schemes under the package.
An amount of Rs 50 crore would be sanctioned for three panchayats in Attappady in the coming five years through the self-help group 'Kudumbashree', he said.

Steps also would be taken to provide houses to tirbals under the Rajiv Aavas Yojana, he added.
Chandy said land would be provided to all landless tribals in the area. Skill training would be given to selected 500 tribal youths, he said adding "jobs would also be provided to them."
According to official figures, as many as 28 tribal children had died in the last six months due to various health problems, including malnutrition, poor health of mothers and failure to provide prompt pre and post maternity medical aid.

Earlier, Ramesh asked the Kerala Government to launch an anti-alcholism campaign in the tribal hamlets.

"Do not drink liquor", he urged the tribal villagers of Paloor hamlet in Attapaddy during the visit.
He also asked the accompanying state government officials to start an anti-liquor campaign immediately in the area.
Ramesh enquried from the villagers the problems faced by them in the health sector.