Panchami Gramam project to bring infrastructure to small SC settlements

The SC/ST and Backward Classes Welfare Minister of Kerala, K.A. Thulasi, inaugurated the Panchami Gramam project on Saturday at Kongad in Palakkad. The initiative aims to bring basic infrastructure to small Scheduled Caste (SC) settlements, which typically have fewer than 15 SC families. During her speech, Thulasi emphasized that the project is part of the government's 100-day action plan and was designed to bridge the gap left by the larger Ambedkar project, which focuses on settlements with over 100 houses.

The Panchami Gramam project will provide funding for development works worth up to ₹40 lakh, targeting essential infrastructure and housing. Each Assembly constituency will be allocated a maximum of two projects per financial year. Two pilot projects in the Kongad constituency—Munikkunnu and Kakkattuparamba SC settlements—are set to benefit from the scheme.

The SC Development department will directly handle house construction for the affected SC families. The first phase of the project will accept 10,000 applications, with the housing assistance amount subject to revision over time. C.N. Sivadasan, member of the Kongad grama panchayat, presided over the inauguration ceremony, while V.K.

Sreekandan, the Member of Parliament, served as the chief guest. Other speakers included Mundur grama panchayat member Kaja Hussain, deputy director of the SC department K.K. Shaju, and district SC development officer G. Sreekumar.