ADILABAD: Tribal leaders allege that funds meant for development of backward areas, released under Integrated Action Plan (IAP) are being used in urban areas.
A total of `155 crore had been released for the district under the scheme, between 2011-12 and 2014-15. It is alleged that these funds are being diverted to urban areas rather than tribal and remote areas that are affected by Maoists. A tribal leader pointed out that both Bela and Adilabad mandals under Adilabad constituency are tribal mandals. “But funds are allotted to plain areas like Deepaigudem, Jainath, Chanda, Landasangvi, Mavala etc.,” he added.
Deepaigudem, which is the native place of forest minister Jogu Ramana, despite being a plain area received `3 crore under the scheme. On the other hand, Talmadugu mandal which has 10 Maoist affected gram panchayats has not been allotted any funds.
Speaking to Express, ITDA, Uttnoor, executive engineer Shankar Rao said: “While 65 per cent of funds are allotted to tribal areas, 35 per cent of funds can be spent in plain areas.”