Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Andhra Pradesh Tribal Commission Member Hears Chenchus’ Issues
P Venkatappa, a member of Andhra Pradesh’s Scheduled Tribes Commission, visited a Chenchu village called Marripalem.
He gave self-help groups cheques worth Rs 15 lakh.
Villagers told him their road needs repairs and they need better drinking water and a BSNL tower.
They also said they could not get permission to build a road and electricity lines through the forest area.
Venkatappa said special government money is available to improve tribal communities.
He asked local officials to work with villagers and use that money to improve the hamlets.
Scheduled Tribes Commission member P Venkatappa visited Marripalem Chenchu Gudem in Dornala mandal on Wednesday.
He distributed cheques worth Rs 15 lakh to self-help groups in the hamlet.
Villagers raised concerns about a damaged road, lack of drinking water and the need for a BSNL tower.
Residents said forest officials were not permitting a road and electricity lines, and complained of being troubled by officials.
Venkatappa urged ITDA and other local officials to use tribal-area funds and work with villagers to develop hamlets.
- Who
- P Venkatappa, a member of the Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Tribes Commission, villagers and local officials.
- What
- Venkatappa visited Marripalem Chenchu Gudem, distributed Rs 15 lakh in cheques to self-help groups and heard residents’ concerns.
- When
- Wednesday; no date is specified.
- Where
- Marripalem Chenchu Gudem, Dornala mandal, Markapur District, Andhra Pradesh.
- Why
- To hear villagers’ issues and urge officials to use special funds to develop tribal hamlets.
Villagers’ concerns
Officials’ response and direction
Road and electricity access
Villagers’ concerns
Villagers said forest officials were not allowing a road and electricity lines to be laid and complained that officials were troubling them.
Officials’ response and direction
Venkatappa instructed relevant officials to work with villagers to develop the hamlets and told the ITDA Project Officer to use available special funds.
Village infrastructure
Villagers’ concerns
Residents said the road needed repair and raised needs for a BSNL tower and drinking water.
Officials’ response and direction
Venkatappa said special funds are provided to ITDAs for drinking water, CC roads and electricity in tribal areas.
- Visitor
- P Venkatappa, Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Tribes Commission member
- Village
- Marripalem Chenchu Gudem, Dornala mandal
- Funds distributed
- Cheques worth Rs 15 lakh to self-help groups
- Road concern
- Villagers said the road from Chintala to Marripalem is in very poor condition.
- Other concerns
- Residents requested a BSNL tower and a solution to drinking-water problems.
- Development funding
- Venkatappa said the government provides special funds to ITDAs for drinking water, CC roads and electricity in tribal areas.