Andhra Pradesh is actively moving forward with plans to designate 496 villages, home to a significant tribal population (over 50%), as ‘Scheduled Areas.’ This pivotal announcement was made on Monday by Gummadi Sandhyarani, the State’s Tribal Welfare Minister, during an Assembly session. The comprehensive proposals are currently under thorough review, marking a crucial step towards enhanced tribal development.
In response to a query from MLA Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy, the Minister detailed the stringent eligibility criteria set by the Government of India for declaring such areas. These criteria emphasize a high concentration of tribal residents, practical administrative considerations (like being a distinct district or block unit), sufficient geographical size, and a demonstrable level of economic disadvantage compared to neighboring regions.
Minister Sandhyarani clarified the multi-stage approval process: initial proposals originate from district collectors, proceed to the Andhra Pradesh Tribal Advisory Council, then to the State Cabinet, and are finally submitted to the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs via the Governor’s office.
A particular focus has been placed on the Anakapalli District, where the District Collector was asked to report on including several villages within the Madugula constituency. This effort has already identified nine gram panchayats, encompassing 60 villages and benefiting over 25,000 tribal inhabitants, as potential Scheduled Areas.
This year, the State government has demonstrated its strong commitment to tribal upliftment by allocating a substantial ₹8,159 crore for various welfare initiatives. Notable projects include the ‘Adavi Thalli Baata’ scheme, which funds the construction of 1,069 km of new roads at a cost of ₹1,005 crore, as well as installing BSNL communication towers worth ₹3.45 crore. Furthermore, the ‘Babu Jagjivan Ram’ scheme ensures each tribal family receives 200 units of free electricity monthly.
The Minister underscored the government’s unwavering dedication to significantly improving vital services for tribal communities, including education, healthcare, employment opportunities, transport, and fundamental infrastructure. She assured the Assembly that additional welfare schemes are being planned and will be launched in the near future.