PANAJI
Minister for Tribal Affairs Govind Gaude said the government was working on restructuring the way funder for Scheduled Tribes were being spent in a bid to tackle the recurring problem of funds not being used by the departments.
"I wish reallocate funds that are currently being sent to various departments under the tribal sub plan and bring this money into the parent department. The money needs to be where it is needed the most," Gaude said adding that currently department did not know where and how to use the money allocated to them for the purpose of tribal development and to be used for their welfare.
"Already from the PWD department, the money is brought to the Department of Tribal Affairs," Gaude said.
He said the reshuffle of capital heads was to ensure that the money kept aside for development of tribals will be effectively utilised and to reappropriate funds allocated for the departments.
"By the end of the process, I will be looking to ensure that at least 50% of the money will be sent to the parent department," Gaude said.
Gaude conceded that while on one hand infrastructure in tribal areas remained poor in terms of water supply, roads and electricity on the other hand, the money allocated for the purpose was remaining unused.
Tribal Academy at Marcel
PANAJI: Minister for Tribal Affairs Govind Gaude has announced plans to set up a ‘Tribal Academy' at Marcel in Ponda taluka on the lines of the Kala Academy in Panaji which will be the focal point of tribal culture and research.
While announcing that he was expediting the process of building Ravindra Bhavans in places that needed them, the minister who is both the minister of Art and Culture and Tribal Affairs said that the one at Marcel would be different from the Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir in Ponda in that it's purpose would be focussed on Tribal culture and arts.
