Andhra tribals seek permission to sell children

The people of Palugu Tanda under Narayanakhed mandal adopted a unanimous resolution urging the government and the State Human Rights Commission to allow them to sell their children as no work is available to support their families.

A shocked administration scrambled to get to the bottom of the issue. Mandal Revenue Officer M Sujanamma who visited the hamlet later told mediapersons that the people had been assured work by August 24. The hamlet comprising 70 families and 128 members of this habitation would be provided work under the NREGS, she said. Another 20 families, who returned after migrating to Hyderabad for the past few months had also demanded work. Failure of rains had dried up their crops and there was no water or fodder for their livestock.

The resolution also asked the government to provide old age pension to 15 eligible persons and 10 houses under the Indiramma Housing Scheme.