Eturnagaram ITDA drifting aimlessly

Eturnagaram (Mulugu): The very concept of empowering Adivasis through Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) appears to be drifting aimlessly as plethora of problems continues to haunt the administration.

A decade after the ITDA was established in Warangal in 1976, it was shifted to Eturnagaram (now in Mulugu district). With no IAS official heading the Eturnagaram ITDA for the last few years, the welfare and socio-economic development of the aboriginals living in 177 villages spread across 13 mandals of erstwhile Warangal district has become 'one step forward and two steps backward.' Sarfaraz Ahmad, was the last IAS officer who headed the Eturnagaram ITDA.

Now, the Adivasis started to feel a ray of hope with the State Government appointing Hanumant Kondiba Zendage as the Eturnagaram ITDA Project Officer. However, it's going to be a tough task for the young IAS as he had to deal with the staff crunch in the ITDA.

It may be mentioned here that the ITDA is short-staffed with as many as 22 posts vacant against the sanctioned posts of 43. Although there was a provision to have 15 outsourcing posts, none of them were filled.

This apart, there are hundreds of posts lying vacant in education and health wings that come under district administration, it's learnt.

The Adivasi fora allege that virtually the administration went into hibernation for the last couple of years. Notwithstanding the availability of funds, the authorities failed to ground the Economic Support Scheme (ESS) completely. As a result, the beneficiaries are left in lurch.

On the other hand, the double bedroom houses, rural transportation and several other plans are moving at a snail's pace.

This apart, the State Government is yet to clarify on certain issues such as command area of the Eturnagaram Agency. It may be mentioned here that Wajedu and Venkatapuram mandals have been transferred to Jayashankar-Bhupalpally district from Bhadrachalam ITDA (erstwhile district of Khammam) and later to Mulugu district.

Still the Adivasis have to approach Bhadrachalam ITDA for land-related issues. The tribals of Gudur and Kothaguda mandals (now in Mahabubabad district) are also witnessing same problem.