Development schemes have not reached Thonimalai (Adalur)
Due to its presence in a town panchayat
THONIMALAI (ADALUR) - Updated:
January 12, 2017 03:43 IST
It has been a classic case of so near yet so far for residents of
Thonimalai, a remote village on Pandrimalai hill of Dindigul district.
Though the Kannivadi town panchayat has provided basic amenities,
several development schemes have not reached Thonimalai due to its
presence in a town panchayat. Merger of Thonimalai with Pandrimalai
panchayat on Adalur hill will provide access to several Central and
State government schemes, including individual housing, education, rural
roads and livelihood schemes, residents feel.
Nestled in Adalur
hill at 1,350 metres above sea level, Thonimalai, comprising three
hamlets – Thonimalai, Pudhur and Pulaiyar Street -- has a population of
more than 500. Agriculture is the main occupation, with coffee, lime and
pepper grown as major crops.
Several attempts made by Kannivadi
town panchayat to merge Thonimalai, its eighth ward, with Pandrimalai
panchayat in the last three decades had been in vein owing to political
interference.
Originally, Thonimalai was with the then Kannnivadi
village panchayat when Thirumalaisamy Reddiyar was panchayat president.
When Kannivadi was upgraded as second grade town pancahayat in 1964,
Thirumalaisamy became president and made Thonimalai its eighth ward.
When Kannivadi became a first grade town panchayat in 1969, Thonimalai
was still with it.
However, the Kannivadi town panchayat provided
electricity, school, cement roads, drinking water and street lights to
Thonimalai. But due to its limited funds, it could not improve the
standard of life of the people living in the hill. Being a town
panchayat, it could not implement Central government schemes meant for
rural poor and tribal people
With
no transport facility, residents and students of Thonimalai have to
trek nine kilometres to reach Pandrimalai Pirivu to board a bus or van
to reach Oddanchatram or Kannivadi markets. Agricultural produce too is
being transported on horse or two-wheelers till Pandrimalai Piruvu. The
plight of sick people is worse.
Over the years, three proposals
had been sent to the government to merge Thonimalai with Pandrimalai
village panchayat. In 2001, Pandrimalai panchayat too consented to annex
Thonimalai.
But the proposals were kept in abeyance owing to political interference.
The
Scheduled Caste people living in Pulaiyar hamlet only have got houses,
thanks to estate owners. Merger with a rural local body will shower more
benefits on Thonimalai, local people say.
Thanks Mr.(thehindu)
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