Diversion of Tribal fund: Centre seeks report from state

GUWAHATI, August 3: Expressing concern at the diversion of Tribal fund during the Eighth Five Year Plan, Centre has sent a letter to the state Government seeking a detailed report in this regard. Centre's move assumes significance as several Tribal bodies have been demanding a probe into the 'diversion or misuse' of funds in the state. The letter, which was sent on July 25 by the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry also asked the state Government to look into the matter immediately. During the Eighth Five Year Plan, Centre Government had released Rs 7,802.75 lakh, of which the state Government could utilise only Rs 5,804.42 lakh and rest of the amount was 'diverted or spent' for other purpose owing to prevailing shortage of fund. Meanwhile, several organisations have welcomed the Centres move. Talking to this reporter, the president of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), Urkhau Gwra Brahma alleged that due to diversion of Central fund, the ongoing schemes for the uplift of tribals are severely affected particularly in Darrang district. In this context, he expressed the view that the state Government has not only diverted the fund but also surrendered a substantial amount of Special Central Assistance (SCA) due to failure in submitting fund utilisation certificates. "AGP-led Government is not sincere to solve the problems of the tribal people," the president said and urged the Centre to institute an enquiry to find out the facts. Expressing disappointment with the diversion of Central fund, the ABSU leader said "it is a systematic exploitation on the tribal people by the state Government for which tribal people have resorted to the path of agitation. While hailing the Centre's move, the general secretary of the All Assam Tribal Sangha, Aditya Khaklari demanded the state Government to submit a report as early as possible. "The Tribal Sangha and several other organisations have been demanding the Centre to initiate steps against diversion of fund, and at last which have met little success," Khaklari said. He, however, said that the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry should ensure that tribal fund are utilised properly in future. When asked as to why the Central fund was diverted, the general secretary smugly said that it was nothing but an 'anti-tribal' attitude of the AGP-led Government. Another important fact is that, the implementing agencies like ATDA and APTDC are not sincere in rendering proper services for the people and as a result of which ongoing schemes have suffered a setback, Khaklari added. Assam Tea Tribes Students Association (ATTSA) also appealed to the Centre to monitor the ongoing schemes in various parts of the state. The ATTSA president, Simanchal Digal alleged that a huge fund under Special Central Assistance (SCA) has been misused by the state Government despite repeated demand from various quarters. Digal reiterated that fund meant for the development of the tribal people should be utilised only in the tribal areas.