Tribal Development Andhra Pradesh: Key Initiatives

Why in News?

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched the Sanjeevani programme at Ganneli in Araku Valley, Alluri Sitarama Raju district. The programme aims to deliver quality healthcare to remote tribal families as part of the government’s goal of eliminating tribal poverty.

Five-Pronged Strategy

The State’s tribal development policy is based on:

• infrastructure;
• healthcare;
• education;
• employment; and
• welfare.

It recognises tribal poverty as multidimensional and seeks to combine public services with sustainable livelihoods.

Major Initiatives

Infrastructure and Connectivity

• 900 km of roads constructed under the Adivathalli Bata project at a cost of ₹1,000 crore.
• Tap water and rooftop solar systems planned for 1.60 lakh houses.
• Cell towers being installed to improve digital connectivity.

Healthcare

• Sanjeevani programme: Quality medical care for remote tribal families.
• Emergency network: 150 vehicles deployed in ASR district.
• Tribal Health Infrastructure Mission: ₹250 crore allocated.
• 104 ambulances: Mobile services offering 42 diagnostic tests.
• Talli Bidda Express: Transport assistance for pregnant women.
• Drone services: Blood samples transported from remote health centres to major hospitals.
• Medical support: ₹10,000 monthly pension for patients with sickle cell disease and thalassemia.
• Jan Aushadhi Kendras: Proposed in all mandals for affordable medicines.

Education and Skills

• Agreement with IIT Madras to improve tribal education and provide coaching for examinations such as IIT and NEET.
• Target to train one lakh tribal youth in three years for jobs in emerging industries.

Local Employment

• The government will propose a legally acceptable alternative to G.O. 3, which had reserved jobs in tribal areas for local candidates but was annulled by the Supreme Court.

Sustainable Livelihoods

• Coffee cultivation to be expanded by one lakh acres.
• Coffee and pepper promoted as alternative crops.
• Tribal products to be developed as recognised brands.
• Homestays encouraged to provide income from Araku tourism.

Welfare Convergence

• Beneficiary families were covered under schemes such as Talliki Vandanam, Annadata Sukhibhava, Stree Shakti and Auto Driver Service.

Conclusion

Andhra Pradesh’s strategy addresses tribal poverty through healthcare, education, infrastructure, employment and livelihoods. Its success will depend on effective implementation, community participation and protection of tribal rights.