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Kerala loses aid for tribal schemes
N.J. Nair
http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/14/stories/2006071418520100.htm
| Laxity of UDF Government in furnishing utilisation certificate |
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State has lost substantial Central assistance for tribal welfare schemes for two years owing to the laxity of the previous Government in furnishing the utilisation certificate for assistance to the tune of Rs.5.38 crores provided during the previous years.
This is feared to have had a direct bearing on the welfare schemes planned by the State Government for 2005-06 and 2006-07. Official sources told The Hindu that despite availing itself of the aid for various welfare schemes from the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the Government had not furnished the details regarding the utilisation of funds within the stipulated time. This was revealed by the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry officials at a high-level review meeting held here on May 31.
They reported to have told the meeting that the State would have got Rs.1.29 crores for 2005-06 and Rs.1.41 crores for 2006-07 had the Government sent the utilisation certificate on time. Though there was provision for grant-in-aid of Rs.30 lakhs for non-governmental organisations for 2006-07, the State Government had not sent any proposals to secure the fund. Since the time for submitting the proposals had elapsed, the State would lose the funds allocated for the welfare schemes as well as the NGOs, sources said.
The Central assistance is being provided from the consolidated fund provided under Article 275(1) of the Constitution. The assistance is being given for meeting the capital as well as recurring expenses for implementing welfare schemes for the Scheduled Tribes and also improving the administration of the scheduled areas. The schemes in these areas can be implemented only with the approval of the Union Government.
Such a major lapse has been pointed out at a time when the State Government is trying to work out schemes to improve the basic amenities and also tackle the health, housing, power and drinking water problems in the tribal settlements in different parts of the State. Many such schemes are being held up due to paucity of funds and any further cut in the Central assistance will force the Government to relinquish such schemes.
This also points to the tardy implementation and poor maintenance of records regarding the welfare schemes taken up by the State Government during the previous years. Now the Government is trying to secure Special Central Assistance of Rs.2.77 crores for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. As per the suggestions of the Tribal Affairs Ministry officials, the State Government has decided to work out new projects to secure the assistance, sources said.
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"Ours is a battle not for wealth or for power.
It is a battle for freedom. It is a battle for the reclamation of human personality."
- Dr BR Ambedkar
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