Govt. benefits are rights, not charity: Keralam Minister

K. A. Thulasi, Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes Keralam Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes K.A. Thulasi has said the benefits of government development and welfare schemes were constitutional rights, and not acts of charity. Speaking at a function held in Attappady to inaugurate projects completed by the Scheduled Tribe Development department and the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP), Attappady, the Minister said that the schemes should reach beneficiaries in a timely and transparent manner.Nearly 12,000 pending applications were settled in the first phase of a file adalat conducted by deploying officials to clear long-pending cases, she said. A second phase would be held soon. Applications would be examined properly and eligible benefits provided without delay, she added. The department would directly implement the housing scheme announced in the State budget. Houses would be built for tribal families who own land, while a new scheme would provide land and houses to landless families.Tribal UniversityMs. Thulasi said the Tribal Arts Learning Centre in Attappady would be completed in time. She also said initial work had begun on the proposed Tribal University in Wayanad, which would include courses to preserve tribal languages, culture, traditional medicine and food practices.The Minister inaugurated the newly built pre-metric hostel for girls at Sholayur and the Forest Rights Act (FRA) online portal. The portal is intended to help protect documents issued to tribal families under the FRA and improve coordination between departments. She also inaugurated community halls at Kuppan hamlet at Mulli, Nanjan hamlet at Sholayur and Mele Abbanur at Puthur. The Sholayur tribal extension office was converted into a smart office.Minister for General Education N. Shamsudheen presided over the function virtually. He said development and infrastructure projects would continue in Attappady. Mr. Shamsudheen said improved hostel facilities would help ensure student safety and provide a better learning environment. The Minister also flagged off a new official vehicle for the Tribal Development Office at Palakkad. The function was held at the Cooperative Farming Society Hall at Vattalakki, Attappady. Published - September 26, 2026 07:53 pm IST