BHUBANESWAR:The two-day national executive committee meeting of BJP Janjaati (Scheduled Tribes) Morcha beginning here from Tuesday will make an assessment of the development of tribal people of the State under the BJD Government.
Alleging that the tribals, who constitute 23 per cent of total population of the State are the most underprivileged community, senior BJP leader and Kuchinda MLA Rabi Nayak told reporters that the State Government has done nothing for the economic development of tribals during the last 15 years.
“Even as Narendra Modi Government at the Centre has made necessary amendments in Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act ostensibly to provide an equal share of the royalty on minerals for development of mineral-bearing districts inhabited mostly by tribals, the State Government is yet to frame rules and regulations under the amended Act to extend the benefits to the targeted people,” Nayak said. As per the new MMDR Act, the State Government is required to form District Mineral Foundation (DMF) in all mineral- bearing districts where an amount equivalent to the royalty collected from mines will be deposited by lessees, and this fund would be utilised for the interest and benefit of people and areas affected by mining related operations.
“The BJP demands that the State Government should consult tribals before preparing any rules pertaining to constitution of DMF and utilisation of the fund as they are mostly affected by mining operations,” Nayak said.
Claiming that the NDA Government is providing more Central assistance for inclusive growth of tribal communities, Nayak said the Naveen Patnaik Government is misutilising the funds meant for the welfare of tribals. The tribals are not getting minimum support price for minor forest produce and are subject to exploitation of private traders from neighbouring States, Nayak said.
The national executive committee will also deliberate on the failure of the State to provide Government jobs to tribals as per the reservation policy. While a large number of posts meant for Scheduled Tribes is lying vacant, there has been no special drive to fill up the posts, he said.
The two-day meeting will be inaugurated by national president of the Morcha Faggan Singh Kulaste and will be addressed by several Union Ministers.
