Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said Andhra Pradesh aims to provide safe drinking water and housing to every tribal family by 2027, while expanding livelihoods, skills, tourism and value-added forest products.
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday said the coalition government was working to ensure that every tribal family in the state has access to safe drinking water and housing by 2027, while announcing a broader development agenda focused on livelihoods, skills, connectivity, healthcare and tourism.
Addressing an event organised to mark the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples at Ambedkar Kala Vedika in Vijayawada, the Chief Minister said protecting the rights, welfare and dignity of tribal communities remained a priority for the government.
He said efforts were underway to improve basic amenities in remote tribal areas and reduce dependence on traditional methods of transporting patients. Feeder ambulances, 108 and 104 mobile medical units are being arranged to improve access to healthcare, while new cell towers are being established to strengthen digital connectivity in tribal regions.
Naidu called on tribal communities to convert their aspirations into concrete achievements and contribute to nation-building through education, entrepreneurship, agriculture and employment.
The Chief Minister said the State Government had allocated Rs. 4,764 crore for the comprehensive development of around 27.39 lakh tribal people in Andhra Pradesh.
He said the Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) were being used to improve living standards, infrastructure, employment, livelihoods and skill development in tribal areas.
Road connectivity is being expanded to 2,336 tribal habitations on a mission-mode basis. Under the Adavi Talli Bata initiative, roads covering 905 km have been constructed at a cost of around Rs. 1,000 crore, he said.
Naidu said the State had laid the foundation for Araku Coffee as a major brand around 25 years ago and that it had now gained international recognition.
The government is encouraging coffee cultivation across another one lakh acres while promoting agency areas as major production centres for commercial crops such as coffee, pepper and turmeric.
He recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promoted Araku Coffee internationally by presenting it as a gift to the Australian Prime Minister. The State Government is also presenting the coffee to visiting dignitaries and has established an Araku Coffee stall in Parliament.
"Our aim is to make Araku Coffee one of the best global brands," Naidu said.
The Chief Minister said the government would focus on value addition, processing, branding and marketing of forest produce from tribal areas so that a greater share of the final value reaches tribal communities.
Products associated with different regions, including Seethampeta turmeric, Rampachodavaram rubber, Parvathipuram pineapple, honey and palm jaggery, would be supported through improved processing and market linkages.
The objective, he said, was to strengthen the entire value chain from production to processing and branding.
Naidu announced that 1.5 lakh tribal youth would be provided skill training to improve their access to employment and livelihood opportunities.
Special efforts would also be made to prepare tribal students for competitive examinations, he said.
The Chief Minister added that 19 MoUs signed on the occasion would benefit around 60,000 people, creating additional livelihood and development opportunities.
He also pointed out that the government had established three districts specifically focused on tribal communities, providing greater administrative attention to their development needs.
Naidu said the government had earlier introduced GO No. 3 with the objective of ensuring employment opportunities for local people in tribal areas.
Although the order was subsequently struck down, he said the present government was examining alternatives to protect employment opportunities for local tribal youth through legally sustainable measures.
The Chief Minister said tribal regions of Andhra Pradesh, with their extensive forests, greenery and natural landscapes, possess enormous tourism potential.
The government would substantially promote tourism in these areas while ensuring that local tribal communities benefit economically from the opportunities generated by tourism development.
Naidu recalled that the newly inaugurated Bhogapuram International Airport had been named after legendary freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju, popularly known as Manyam Veerudu.
He also highlighted the recent Guinness World Record achieved through a large-scale Dhimsa performance during the airport inauguration, saying it had brought international attention to the cultural heritage of tribal communities.
The Chief Minister said tribal farmers were also increasingly adopting organic and sustainable cultivation practices, producing high-value crops while preserving the ecological balance of their regions.
Referring to President Droupadi Murmu, Naidu described her journey from a tribal background to minister, Governor of Odisha and ultimately the country's highest constitutional office as an inspiration for citizens across the country.
With Independence Day approaching, he urged people to consider what they could contribute to society and the nation.
A farmer producing better crops, a woman earning through self-employment, a student pursuing excellence, or a teacher, employee, entrepreneur or worker performing their responsibilities sincerely were all contributing to nation-building, he said.
Naidu called for a spirit of "my country, my State, my village and my family", describing sincere work for society as one of the highest forms of patriotism.
