The Telangana government has approved 88 projects under the Scheduled Tribes Special Development Fund (STSDF) to develop BT roads in 16 constituencies. The estimated cost of these projects is Rs 156.60 crore and they will cover 211 km of road. The aim of this development is to promote the growth of Tandas (Tribal habitations) and improve social development in the state.
The Chief Minister, K Chandrashekar Rao, has taken a decision towards political empowerment of the ST communities in Telangana. The tribal habitations have been promoted as self-ruling Tandas (Gram Panchayats) and fulfilled their aspirations. This self-governance policy has brought a positive change in the social development of the ST community in the state.
The government has converted Thandas and Gudems with a population of more than 500 into new Gram Panchayats. A total of 3,146 Thandas and Gudems have been promoted to Panchayats. Thousands of Adivasi, Lambadi and Tribal youths won local body elections and assumed charge as Sarpanchs and Ward members. This political transformation has helped the tribal community to play an active role in the government.
The government has allocated funds for the comprehensive development of these Panchayats. Each Gram Panchayat building will be constructed with Rs 20 lakh. The government has also given permission to fill up 1650 posts in the tribal welfare department. Rs 1,385 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of 2,500 km of roads to provide road facilities to 1,287 ST Panchayats.
Under STSDF, the state government has sanctioned the construction of 88 BT roads in 16 Assembly constituencies dominated by ST habitations in the state. The government has sanctioned 88 works with an estimation of Rs 156.60 crores to lay BT roads on 211.86 km stretch. Government orders have already been issued to this effect.
