Collector orders probe into 281 abortions recorded in nine months in K.R. Puram ITDA

Collector K. Vetri Selvi has ordered a probe into the alarming number of abortions registered in the last nine months in K.R. Puram Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) in Eluru district.

ITDA officials said that 281 abortions occurred and 319 childbirths went unregistered in the tribal habitations during that period, at a review meeting on K.R. Puram on Saturday. The Collector, meanwhile, expressed dissatisfaction over the poor medical facilities in the government hospitals located at the Agency areas in the district.

Ms. Vetri Selvi expressed anger at the ITDA Deputy District Medical and Health Officer (Deputy DM&HO) Dr. Suresh Kumar when he failed to provide a proper reply regarding abortions, the status of immunisation, sickle-cell anaemia patients, and the treatment being extended to Adivasis in the tribal habitations.

The Collector directed Eluru district DM&HO Dr. Amrutam to conduct a case-wise inquiry on the 281 abortions recorded in the ITDA and submit a report. She also ordered departmental action against Dr. Suresh Kumar.

She then asked the ITDA Project Officer K. Ramulu Naik why an Accounts Officer (AO) had not been appointed, despite the previous one being transferred three months ago.

Ms. Vetri Selvi said that funds in the ITDA should be spent only after obtaining permission from the District Collector, failing which action would be taken against the officials concerned. She also reviewed the progress of various welfare schemes and development works being taken up in the tribal villages.