Should announce special package for Attappady: Chennithala

Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition leader in the Assembly Ramesh Chennithala Sunday asked the government to announce a special package for the development of Attappady, one of the largest and backward tribal settlements in the state.

In a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Chennithala said the government should take immediate steps to prepare the package to address various issues faced by people of Attappady, located in northern district Palakkad.

A report, prepared based on the information collected from tribal chiefs, social, political and cultural leaders and local people during his recent visit in Attappady, was also handed over to the Chief Minister.

"Attappady is suffering from severe environment degradation and drought. It seems that the government has not taken any precautionary measures to tackle this situation so far," he said.

Steps should also be taken to improve the basic infrastructure facilities in the government hospital there and solve the scarcity of medicines, Chennithala said in the letter.

Though the state was declared as a open defecation free, the menace is continuing in the remote Attappady, he said adding that 3500 toilets should be constructed immediately.

Quoting the recent health department studies, he said at least 574 children in the region were anemic and even grown up children are suffering from this health issue.

In view of the reports of Maoist threat, more police personnel should be deployed in the region, the opposition leader added. Chennithala also wanted the government to take steps to implement the pending Attappady Valley Irrigation project.