BHUBANESWAR: The BJP on Tuesday accused the BJD Government of diverting Central assistance meant for tribal welfare schemes in the State.
“The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has so far released `421 crore to Odisha for various tribal welfare schemes. Apart from diversion of Central assistance, it has come to our notice that the State Government has failed to utilise the fund,” national president of BJP Scheduled Tribes Morcha Faggan Singh Kulaste and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram told reporters here.
Speaking at the national executive meet of BJP Scheduled Tribes Morcha, senior tribal leaders slammed the State Government for doing nothing for the economic and social development of tribals.
“The NDA Government had in 2014-15 provided `421 crore to the State for various tribal welfare schemes but the funds were diverted or not utilised as utilisation certificate for over `186 crore was still awaited,” Oram claimed.
During a recent review of the working of Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) in four areas, it was found that funds for 2011 were still lying unutilised, he said.
The Union Minister said he would review the implementation of various tribal schemes in Rayagada, Malkangiri and Koraput districts.
The two leaders voiced concern over alleged sexual exploitation of tribal girls in several Government-run residential schools in the State and demanded stringent action against the culprits.
The Tribal Morcha national executive seeks to make an assessment of the development of tribals in the State where BJP plans to substantially strengthen its base, Kulaste said after inaugurating the meet.
The Morcha has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the interest of tribals is adequately protected in the matter of compensation and rehabilitation during land acquisition for mining and industrial purposes.
The State unit president of the Morcha and Kuchinda MLA Rabi Naik claimed that the tribals, who form around 23 per cent of the State’s population, have been neglected during the BJD rule.
He further claimed that tribals were not getting minimum support price for minor forest produce and were exploited by traders from other States.
The two-day meeting would also discuss failure of the State Government in providing jobs to tribals as per the reservation policy, Naik said.
Kulaste claimed that tribals of the State are not getting proper compensation in areas affected by mining activities and Oram accused the State Government of failing to provide stipend to tribal students and properly implementing the Forest Rights Act.
Oram said the Tribal Advisory Council was not functioning in the State properly and its meetings were not held regularly.
