Govt. benefits are rights, not charity: Kerala minister

KA Thulasi, Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes

Keralam Minister for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes Welfare KA Thulasi said that the benefits of government development and welfare schemes are constitutional rights and not acts of charity. Addressing a function held in Attappady to launch projects completed by the Department of Planned Tribal Development and Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) at Attappady, the minister said that the programs should reach the beneficiaries in a timely and transparent manner.

Nearly 12,000 pending applications were cleared in the first phase of the file adalat conducted by officials to clear long-pending cases, she said. The second phase will be held soon. Applications would be properly reviewed and eligible benefits would be provided promptly, she added. The Ministry would directly implement the housing plan announced in the state budget. Houses would be built for tribal families who own land, while the new scheme would provide land and houses to landless families.

Tribal University

Ms. Thulasi said the Tribal Arts Learning Center at Attappady would be completed in time. She also said initial work had begun on the proposed Tribal University in Wayanad, which would include courses on the preservation of tribal languages, culture, traditional medicine and food practices.

The minister inaugurated the newly constructed pre-metric hostel for girls at Sholayur and the Forest Rights Act (FRA) online portal. The portal is meant to help protect documents issued to tribal families under FRA and improve coordination between departments. She also inaugurated community halls at Kuppan village in Mulli, Nanjan village in Sholayur and Mele Abbanur in Puthur. The Sholayur Tribal Branch office has been converted into a smart office.

General Education Minister N. Shamsudheen presided over the function virtually. He said development and infrastructure projects will continue in Attappady. Mr Shamsudheen said the improved hostel facilities would help ensure the safety of students and provide a better study environment. The minister also flagged off a new official vehicle for the Tribal Development Office in Palakkad. The event was held at the Cooperative Farming Society Hall at Vattalakki, Attappady.

Published – 26 Sep 2026 19:53 IST