AAP demands proper utilisation of funds for tribal welfare in Goa

Panaji, Jun 23 (PTI) The opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday claimed the Scheduled Tribes community in Goa was facing neglect, and put forth five demands for their welfare before the Pramod Sawant-led government.
    Funds are either not allocated, or are diverted or entangled in bureaucratic red tape, while the tribal communities continue to suffer from poverty, unemployment and poor infrastructure, AAP Goa chief Amit Palekar alleged at a press conference here.
    "Funds allocated under the Tribal Sub-Plan and other welfare schemes meant specifically for the ST community remain unutilised year after year," he claimed.

    The AAP demanded immediate allocation, sanction and utilisation of pending tribal welfare funds and time-bound implementation of schemes.

    It also demanded a regular audit and public disclosure of the Tribal Sub-Plan spending.

    Palekar said the Scheduled Tribe areas in Goa should be notified and forest rights of the tribal population be recognised.
    "The Tribal Advisory Council should have representation from the tribal civil society," he said.

    The AAP also demanded empowerment of the tribal youth through education, skilling and employment-linked programmes.

    Under the Tribal Sub-Plan, at least 10.23 per cent of the budget should be allocated to the tribal community, Palekar said.
    "But only four per cent, amounting to Rs 1,200 crore, has been allocated. We have seen that not more than Rs 300 crore is actually sanctioned or spent for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes," he claimed.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)