Kaani Tribal hamlet gets quality power after decades-long battle

A Kaani Tribal hamlet in the Western Ghats, which was battling low voltage problem every night for several decades, has finally started getting quality power, thanks to the coordinated and swift efforts taken by the district administration, Department of Forest and the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO).

District Collector M. Prathap said the officials were meeting the Kaani Tribes once in a fortnight on Saturdays to understand their long-standing demands and fulfil them. When the residents of Puraavilai, the last hamlet of Ponmanai town panchayat under Padmanabhapuram Assembly constituency, submitted a list of demands that included drinking water, road, and quality power supply, immediate steps were taken.

Since low voltage power supply to Puraavilai had been a problem for decades, a 63 kVA transformer was installed at the cost of ₹22.38 lakh after getting due permission from the Department of Forest and erecting power cables afresh for about 2.20 km. Even though electric poles had to be installed along the tough terrains of the Western Ghats, Tangedco personnel completed the task in a record time.

“We have successfully addressed the low voltage problem of Puraavilai, which will soon be connected by quality road. Permission for this road to be laid a the cost of ₹1.10 crore will be obtained shortly. The the project estimates are being prepared for supplying drinking water to this remote hamlet,” Mr. Prathap said.

Regarding the issue of patta for forest lands to the Kaani Tribes, the Collector said a committee, led by sub-collector of Padmanabhapuram had been constituted for giving patta for 10 cents of residential land and social rights over the agricultural lands for Kaani Tribes for their farming operations. After the field-level survey, around 150 Kaani Tribes will receive their patta during the District Forest Committee meeting to be held next week.

“All eligible beneficiaries will receive their patta as we are working towards the target of making all 40 Kaani Tribal hamlets self-sufficient,” the Collector said.

When the quality power supply resumed on Tuesday, the Kaani Tribes thanked the Collector and others.

Padmanabhapuram MLA R. Chellaswami, District Forest Officer Anbu, Padmanabhapuram Sub-Collector Malathi, and Tangedco Superintending Engineer Ashok Kumar were present.