Priyanka Gandhi Urges Faster Pace for Wayanad Development Projects

Member of Parliament Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has called for coordinated efforts to ensure that development and welfare schemes in the Wayanad parliamentary constituency are completed on schedule. She was speaking to the media after a review meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) held at the Collectorate on Saturday.

According to Ms. Vadra, a number of projects have moved forward after directions issued at the committee's previous meeting. The review covered the implementation of various schemes, the role of elected representatives, support from the State government, and the approvals and funds needed from the Centre.

She said the Union Minister for Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, had informed her that approval had been granted for BSNL towers at Puttala in Amarambalam, Kozhippara, Pathoor, Punchakkolli and Vendakkanpoyil in Malappuram district.

Ms. Vadra also raised concerns about digital platforms such as the Anganwadi Poshan Tracker and the NMMS app under the VB-G RAM G scheme, saying they were making procedures more complicated. She said the matter would be brought to the government's attention, and called for traditional tribal food practices to be included in nutrition programmes in tribal areas.

She welcomed the allocation of ₹5 crore in the State Budget for the development of the Government Taluk Hospital in Malappuram, and said the proposed tribal university in Wayanad could bring about changes for tribal communities.

The rehabilitation of Wayanad landslide victims was also reviewed. Ms. Vadra said the process was progressing, though some hurdles remained. Some eligible people had been left out of the beneficiary lists, she said, adding that the lists were being reviewed to include them.

District Collector Vinay Goyal said steps had been taken to simplify access to clay for pottery workers, with the Tahsildar appointed as the nodal officer. He also said a project proposal had been submitted to facilitate the marketing of honey produced in tribal areas.

Ms. Vadra directed the Collector to convene a special meeting to speed up the Jal Jeevan Mission, as delays were affecting Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) road works. She also called for the fourth phase of PMGSY works to be expedited. Officials said works worth ₹4.33 crore had been completed from the ₹5 crore allocated from the MP fund.

Public Works Minister P.K. Basheer, Revenue Minister A.P. Anilkumar, MLAs Aryadan Shoukath and V.S. Joy, and Subcollector Sakshi Mohan attended the meeting.