MLA Appacchu Ranjan stayed at Balegundi haadi in Valnoor-Thyagathur Gram Panchayat limits in Somwarpet recently.

He laid the foundation stone for several development works in the haadi.
Speaking to presspersons, he said “I am not staying in the tribal haadi for publicity. I will visit the haadi after six months to check the development work.”

Foundation stone
The MLA laid foundation for development of road leading to the haadi at an estimated cost of Rs 29 lakh. Anganwadi building will be constructed at the cost of Rs two lakh.
He also laid foundation for community hall at the cost of Rs eight lakh, and minor water supply worth Rs two lakh.

 As many as 17 tribes were given title deeds under Forest Rights Act. Free health camps were held.

“I want to bring the tribals living inside the forest to the mainstream of the society. I want to understand the problems faced by them,” he said.

The MLA who arrived at the haadi in a tractor was given a warm welcome with ‘chende’ and other traditional percussions.

The MLA was entertained with the tribal dance and music in the night. The MLA too danced with the tribals on the occasion. For dinner, he was served with rice, sambar, palya, pickle and payasa.

Visit to continue
The MLA said “This is the first time I am staying in a haadi. As officials are also staying with me, it would be easy to solve the problems faced by the tribals. I will continue my stay in haadi depending on the responses I receive from the people,” he said. 

To a query on what inspired him to take up ‘haadi  vasthavya’ he said it was his wife and son residing in US who inspired him to stay in haadi.

They asked me to stay with the tribals to understand their problems, he informed.

The MLA was accompanied by Somwarpet Taluk Panchayat president V K Lokesh, Zilla Panchayat members Ballaranda Mani Uthappa, S N Raja Rao, Bharatheesh, Sulochana, Indiramma, Dharmappa and others.