പട്ടികജാതി കോളനികളുടെ വികസനത്തിനായി 'പഞ്ചമി ഗ്രാമം' പദ്ധതിക്ക് തുടക്കം: അടിസ്ഥാന സൗകര്യങ്ങൾ മെച്ചപ്പെടുത്തും

SC, ST and Backward Classes Welfare Minister K.A. Thulasi inaugurates Panchami Gramam project, aimed at bringing infrastructure to small SC settlements, at a function held at Kongad, Palakkad, on Saturday.

The Keralam government on Saturday launched the Panchami Gramam project to improve basic infrastructure in settlements with fewer than 15 Scheduled Caste families. SC/ST and Backward Welfare Minister K.A. Thulasi inaugurated the project as part of the government's 100-day action programme at Kongad near here.

She said the scheme was designed to address the gap left by the Ambedkar project, which covers larger settlements with more than 100 houses.

Panchami Gramam will fund development works worth up to ₹40 lakh in areas such as basic infrastructure and housing. A maximum of two projects will be taken up in each Assembly constituency in a financial year. Munikkunnu and Kakkattuparamba SC settlements in the Kongad constituency have been selected as pilot projects.

Ms. Thulasi said the SC Development department would directly undertake house construction for Scheduled Caste families. The first phase will accept 10,000 applications, with the housing assistance amount to be revised from time to time.

Kongad grama panchayat member C.N. Sivadasan presided over the function. V.K. Sreekandan, MP, was the chief guest. Other speakers included Mundur grama panchayat member Kaja Hussain, SC department deputy director K.K. Shaju and district SC development officer G. Sreekumar.