DIANA FERNANDES
PANAJI
The tribal community received better access to department schemes under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) with most departments registering above 50 per cent utilisation of funds compared to last year.
Based on the functioning of the TSP, each department is allotted a certain sum that is to be spent exclusively for schemes towards tribal communities. The idea is to bring about integrated development of tribal areas with the rest of the state and improve the quality of life for tribals. Of the several state departments, the Tribal Welfare, Public Works and electricity departments were the highest spenders.
According to the budget spending, the Tribal Welfare department utilised Rs 132.13 crore of the Rs 235.6 crore allotted to it in the year 2015-16. The electricity department utilised Rs 20.22 crore of the Rs 25 crore allotted to them. The Public Works Department (PWD) for the year 2015-16 spent Rs 13.44 crore out of the Rs 50 crore allotted to it.
The Agriculture department, through its schemes have managed to spend the most under the Tribal Sub Plan by using Rs 11.2 crore out of the Rs 11.91 crore it was given.
The department of agriculture registered the highest utilisation, from 41 percent in 2014-15 to 94 percent in 2015-16. During 2015-16, the department spent as much as Rs 11.2 crore on providing financial assistance under the Shetkari Adhar Nidhi and Jalkund scheme, as well as providing subsidies on support price and crop compensations. Subsidies were also given to tribals for agriculture and allied activities as well as to set up green houses and poly houses.
Speaking to The Goan about this increasing number, Goa State SC/ ST Commission chairman Anant Shirvoikar said it was a good sign but there was still more to be done.
“Most government departments are not aware of how to properly use the funds allocated to them for spending as part of the Tribal Sub Plan. The awareness is gradually being undertaken but there is a need for greater awareness among the departments first and then among the people of the communities,” he said.
In this regard, the commission itself has taken upon itself the responsibility of creating awareness among departments and members of the tribal community on how and where the funds can be used.
Other departments that have registered almost entire utilisations of their funds include the Directorate of Fisheries and Social welfare department. The tourism department that had in 2014-15 failed to utilise a single rupee under TSP registered an 81.67 percent increase for the year 2015-16. Its spending was towards projects in tribal areas including a Tourist Block near the Library Building at Curchorem.
The department of Art and Culture saw an increase in spending from 47.34 per cent in 2014-15 to 69.12 per cent in 2015-16. According to the department, most of the spending was towards artists, groups and mandals of the SC ST category.
According to the 2011 census, more than 10.23 per cent of the total population in the state were classified under tribal. They account for over 1.5 lakh in total with Salcete having the highest tribal population of 21.81 per cent, followed by Ponda with 18.49 per cent, Quepem with 16.94 per cent and Tiswadi with 12.58 per cent. The Gowda community forms 71.45 per cent of ST population in state, followed by Velips (21.46%) and Kunbis (3%).
