BHUBANESWAR: Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram slammed the State Government for neglecting tribals by depriving them the benefit of minimum support price (MSP) announced by the Centre for minor forest produce (MFP).Though the Centre has sponsored a scheme called ‘mechanism for marketing of MFP through MSP and development of value chain as a measure of social safety for MFP gatherers’, the State Government is yet to implement it, he said.
Oram who attended a meeting of the BJP Adivasi Morcha here said the scheme was started with the objective of providing a fair price to MFP gatherers, enhance their income level and ensure sustainable harvesting of minor forest produces. It is a holistic scheme for development of MFP trade and covers 24 non-nationalised / non-monopolised MFP.
In December last year, Oram had written to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik requesting him to provide MSP to tribals for the 24 MFPs announced by the Ministry. Expressing his displeasure over non-implementation of the scheme, he had asked the State Government to refund the unutilised fund.“In case the State decides to follow alternate methods to benefit tribals in this sector, I suggest that the unutilised funds may be refunded with accrued interest along with an audited report, so that the same can be optimally utilised for those States which are implementing the scheme,” Oram had said in the letter.
Attacking the Government for not convening the Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting within specified time, Oram said the model schools sanctioned by the Centre for the State are still a non-starter.The Union Minister also targeted the Government for allegedly harassing the tribals. The State Government is harassing the tribals by seeking caste certificate from them whenever they approached the Government for benefits under welfare schemes.In response to Oram’s allegations, senior BJD leader Amar Satpathy said the Government is fully committed for development of tribals. The Government has taken security measures as non-tribals are acquiring caste certificates in the name of tribals.