Palakkad: The State government Friday sanctioned Rs 54 lakh for the expansion of 'community kitchens' at Attappady, one of the largest tribal settlements in the state.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy sanctioned the amount in the wake of reports about increasing malnutrition and infant deaths in the region, N Shamsuddin, MLA, said here after a high-level meeting convened by civic authorities.
At present only 61 tribal hamlets in Attappady have community kitchens and the amount was sanctioned to set up such kitchens in the remaining over 40 hamlets in the region, he said.
An additional Rs 15 lakh had been granted to resume the allowance given to the tribal patients and their bystanders in the region, he said.
The meeting was held in the wake of recent infant deaths reported in Kurukkathaikkallu and Palur hamlets.
The meeting, attended by officials of health, social justice, food and civil supplies and SC and ST departments, also discussed various welfare measures to be taken in the hamlets where 10 infant deaths were reported since January this year.