Tamil Nadu: Petrol pump at M.Palada run by tribal women fuels dreams

UDHAGAMANDALAM: A petrol pump set up by the Tribal Research Centre (TRC) at M.Palada, on the outskirts of Ooty, is employing 12 women from the district’s six tribal communities. It is an initiative of the ministry of adi dravidar and tribal welfare,

TRC

director-in charge S Udhayakumar told TOI. “The model petrol pump was set up to empower tribal women. The ministry comes up with schemes for tribal welfare every year. This year, we opted for the pump and Rs 35 lakh was sanctioned for the purpose.”

Petrol and diesel are sold at the pump at a discount of 87 paisa per litre. Two women each from Toda,

Kota

, Kurumba,

Paniya

,

Irula

and Kattunayakan communities work at the pump. They work in two shifts on rotation and are paid Rs 8,500 per month and 3% dearness allowance. “A part of the yearly profit will be distributed among them as an additional benefit,” said Udhayakumar. The job has made her feel like an empowered woman, said Uma from Alu Kurumba tribe.