GUWAHATI, Feb 3 – A huge sum of central fund granted for the Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDPs) has been diverted by the state government. The funds meant for the development of the poor tribal people had been spent for disbursement of the salaries by the previous AGP-led government which affected the schemes of the IRDPs. The state government had set up 19 ITDPs in order to carry forward welfare schemes for the tribal people, but due to shortage of funds, the ITDPs are now facing severe problems.
According to official statistics since 1998-2000, the state government had released Rs 409.79 crore of which Rs 339.25 crore were spent and rest was diverted for disbursement of salaries. It is learnt that the developmental activities of the ITDPs have come to a grinding halt in view of prevailing financial crisis.
Meanwhile All Assam Tribal Sangha has demanded the state government for revitalisation of the ITDPs in the greater interest of the tribal people. In a statement, general secretary of the tribal sangha, Sri Aditya Khaklari alleged that the previous government had misappropriated a huge amount of fund granted by the centre under various schemes. The schemes have now suffered a major setback. Our demand is that funds meant for the tribal people should be spent on them”, Sri Khaklari said.
The Tribal Students Federation and the All Assam Tribal Employees Association also unequivocally criticised the previous government. In a joint memorandum to the Union tribal affairs ministry, the leaders of the organisations said that the Centre should lay strict norms so that funds are not diverted in near future. They also appealed to the present government to check distribution of funds. “Due to diversion and misappropriation of funds, our tribal people have been deprived of schemes”, the leaders added.