Says only 10% of tribal budget spent; accuses govt of ignoring STs
PANAJI
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa has asked the government to immediately release the pending Tribal Welfare Funds and ensure that schemes meant for the tribal community are implemented on time.
In a press note issued on Monday, AAP shared a list of demands for the tribal community. These include regular audits of Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) spending, making audit details public, notifying Scheduled Areas in Goa, and recognising forest rights.
The party also said the Tribal Advisory Council should organise programmes that include proper representation from tribal civil society. It called for support to tribal youth through education, skill development, and job-related programmes.
AAP stressed the need to protect the dignity, equality, and development of Goa’s tribal communities, and accused the government of making empty promises.
“We strongly condemn the neglect shown by the BJP-led state government towards the Scheduled Tribes. For years, the government has failed to safeguard their basic rights and support their development. Their demands continue to be ignored,” the statement said.
“It is shocking that the government has not even spent 10 per cent of the funds allocated for the tribal community. Funds under the TSP and other tribal schemes remain unused year after year. These funds get stuck in red tape, while tribal people face poverty, joblessness, poor infrastructure, and lack of proper healthcare, education, and housing.”
AAP said it would raise these issues during the upcoming monsoon session of the assembly. It added that out of more than 10,000 forest rights claims made so far, over 8,500 remain pending, even though the government had promised to clear them last year.
