Collector vows to develop Komaram Bheem dist

Asifabad: A comprehensive plan has been devised to develop Komaram Bheem district. The plan includes making short films to project the district as a tourism hub, Collector Champalal told The Hans India in an exclusive interview.
He said there are many tourist spots in the district. Kumram Bheem Museum has been set up at Jodeghat, displaying historic and artistic objects.

Cottages are being built there for the benefit of tourists. Efforts are on to create boating facilities in Komaram Bheem project and to develop Lingapur Sapta Gundala Waterfalls as a tourist spot. Kagaz Nagar forests, Komaram Bheem project and hilly area where vultures thrive are being developed as tourist spots as also cinema shooting spots.Excerpts:

Q: Due to lack of transport facilities in the district, Girijans are suffering from anaemia and other ailments. It is also backward in agriculture. What is being done to overcome this situation?
A: People, particularly children, are suffering on account of prevalence of anaemia. It has reached alarming levels among children, causing anxiety. Special measures, including running of medical camps by health department, are being taken up to overcome this. Medicines are being provided to the affected persons and nutritious food is being arranged to affected tribals. Children are being given iron tablets in schools and hostels. Shortage of doctors is a problem.

Q: Are there any maternal and infant mortality reported on account of anaemia?
A: There have been no such deaths. Ambulances are being sent to villages to extend emergency medical services to the affected persons. Nutritious food is being arranged to pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Q: What measures are being taken to improve agriculture in the district which lacks adequate irrigation facilities?
A: There are medium irrigation projects in the district like Komaram Bheem and Jagannathpur. However, water is not reaching the targeted people due to incomplete work of canals. Steps are being taken to expedite Komaram Bheem project canal work. The land required for this purpose has been acquired.

About 450 acres is acquired for the process to complete. Irrigation availability is being increased by de-silting streams under the Mission Kakatiya project. A special scheme is being prepared for ensuring development of agriculture in the district. Farmers are being encouraged to take up paddy cultivation, besides cotton. Incentives are being offered to ryots to take up horticulture plantations. Girijans are being encouraged to take up modern cultivation, like putting up poly-houses.

Q: The education set-up is reportedly in a mess. What is being done to improve this? Is there any action against teachers who don’t work in interior areas?
A: All measures are being taken to provide good education to students in schools. MEOs and DEOs are conducting review meetings regularly.

An action plan has been prepared to achieve 85 per cent results in SSC examination, better than last year. In view of the vacancies in some schools, Vidya Volunteers have been appointed. A report has been submitted to the government to fill the vacancies through the ensuing DSC.

‘We are taking strong action against teachers in interior areas who don’t work. Those not going to school are being suspended. Action will be taken against those who absence themselves without permission.’

Q: People are suffering due to non-availability of treatment at the district hospitals and also PHCs. What is being done to provide medical services to the people?
A: Special arrangements are being made to provide treatment in the recently upgraded district hospital (from PHC). Orders have been issued to ensure that doctors and ANMs are available to provide cure in interior areas. Recently two ANMs have been suspended on charges of absence without leave.

This has led to a reduction in the incidence of malaria in the district. There are no expert doctors in the district hospital. A notification was issued to appoint doctors. Rs 2 lakh will be paid to a gynecology doctor and those interested to extend their services can come forward.