KAKINADA: Polavaram administrative officer C.V. Pravin Adithya said efforts are being made to provide employment opportunities to 5,800 tribal families displaced due to the irrigation project and residing in relief and rehabilitation (R&R) colonies.
Reviewing the rehabilitation status of tribes displaced by the project with officials of Chinturu and Rampachodavaram ITDA and Velugu on Thursday, Adithya pointed out that many tribal families under Polavaram Project have been provided agriculture lands under land-to-land scheme. They have also been allotted houses in R&R colonies.
“Now, the government is taking steps to provide employment opportunities to youth among these families,” he underlined.
The administrative officer said the displaced could take up self-employment in businesses that interest them. Tribal farmers can grow crops they are interested in on lands allotted to them with assistance from ITDA.
“All Polavaram project affected families will be provided livelihood, whether or not they own lands,” Adithya clarified.
He said a survey will be conducted of all families and one person will be appointed for every 10 tribal families to advise them about their livelihoods. There will be a special officer for every 100 families. Based on the interest and abilities of tribal families, employment opportunities will be provided to them.
The administrative officer said funds are being released for the purpose.
ITDA assistant project officer Srinivasa Rao, APDCL deputy engineer A. Venkateswara Rao, assistant engineer E. Dorababu, horticulture officer Sridhar, tahsildar Ramakrishna and MPDO Ratnakumari were among those present.
