Tribals, Left leaders oppose Balloon festival

Visakhapatnam: The Left Party leaders and tribals lashed out at the TDP government for spending Rs 10 crore of public money for organising the 2nd edition of Balloon Festival. Former ZPTC Surendra Kilo said that many students who had completed intermediate, degree and post-graduation were eagerly waiting for job notifications from the government end at present situation.

However, the government was wasting money and time by conducting such festivals, he pointed out.  There were 200 tribals who were working under tourism department since many years on contract basis.

Though they had demanded to provide job security for them, the tourism officials were postponing the issue without taking it seriously. Instead of spending Rs 10 crore for Balloon Festival, the government could have provided water for drinking and irrigations needs in Agency areas, he stated.

Even some hamlets in the Agency do not have road connectivity for availing education and medical treatment, said Vizag CPM leader Lokanadham. The tribals also lamented that the government can distribute blankets and construct permanent shelters to fight against dipped temperature at Vizag agency.