KC Padvi bats for full use of funds under Tribal Sub Plan

MINISTER SAYS MONEY FROM IT SHOULD NOT GO TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS

Tribal Development Department's sub plan is expected to increase to Rs 8,853 crore in 2020-21 from Rs 8,531 crore in 2019-20. Meanwhile, the Minister of Tribal Development KC Padvi has urged Finance Minister Ajit Pawar to stop making payments of other departments from the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP). "If this is stopped, then the department will get additional Rs 1,708 crore to spend on various schemes,'' he told FPJ.

The area under the Tribal Sub Plan in Maharashtra is 50,757 sq. km. as against the total geographical area of 3,07,713 sq. km. of the state. This works out to about 16.5 percent. The TSP is generally 9.4 per cent of the state plan. However, Padvi argued that the department gets limited funds, part of which is used to make payments of other departments.

The Sukthankar Committee way back in 1991 had recommended that a major portion of TSP outlays should go to local schemes that directly benefit tribals, including minor irrigation, soil and water conservation, rural water supply, link roads, maternal and child health. They need to be given high priority in the allocation of funds.

However, the department, in its internal noting, revealed limited funds were provided for important sectors and schemes related to malnutrition, health, educational backwardness, and unemployment due to certain limitations.

Padvi reiterated that if the finance minister decides to stop entertaining other departments demanding money from the TSP, the department will be able to get more funds that can be used on more schemes and sectors. ''This year, the department should get Rs 1,708 crore,'' he noted.