Date:13/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/13/stories/2006111303600500.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Rs.10-crore medical scheme for tribals

Staff Reporter

Tribal village and tribal complex in the offing

KOCHI : Discussions are on with the Health Department to give shape to a Rs.10-crore scheme for giving free treatment to tribals, A.K. Balan, Minister for Electricity and Welfare of SC/STs and Backward Communities, has said.

Addressing presspersons at the Ernakulam Press Club on Sunday he said, "tribals will be able to use the facility for getting treatment in hospitals, including medical colleges and the Regional Cancer Centre.

Steps are being taken to provide better facilities at the tribal nursing school of Kottayam Medical College, at a cost of Rs.2 crore."

Tribal village

A Rs.2-crore tribal village has been planned at Neriyamangalam, so that 120 tribal families can engage in collective farming.

They will be able to cultivate among other things, medicinal plants. We will help them in marketing their produce as well.

Each family in the village will be given Rs. 75,000 to build a house.

The Government will provide roads, power and water supply.

Mr. Balan said a Rs. 2.5-crore tribal complex was planned in Kochi city. All structures would be in the shape of huts.

There would be 36 pavilions to showcase products made by 36 tribal communities from across the country.

The food pavilion would serve ethnic food. Cultural programmes would be arranged in the complex. Discussions were held with the District Collector.