MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS ( SHRI JUAL ORAM)
(a)&(b) Instances have come to the notice of Central Government where the State
Governments/U.T. Administrations failed to utilize the funds released to them
during a financial year for various Central Sector/Centrally Sponsored Schemes
for the welfare and upliftment of Scheduled Tribes, within the same year,
resulting in the funds being carried forward to the subsequent year(s). The main
reasons for such delayed utilization of funds include late receipt of funds by the
State Governments/U.T. Administrations, failure to achieve timely completion of
procedural and other formalities, time taken for completion of construction work
wherever involved, etc.
(c)&(d) Statements showing the releases made to State Governments/U.T.
Administrations in the last three years, scheme-wise and expenditure as reported
by them so far are attached as Annexures I to XII.
(e) In order to ensure timely utilization of the funds provided for the welfare and
upliftment of Scheduled Tribes, the following measures have been taken:
- Utilization Certificate for earlier releases is insisted upon as a pre-requisite for
further release of funds.
- Periodic progress reports regarding the status of implementation of schemes
are obtained.
- Central Government officers visit the States/U.Ts. to ascertain on the spot the
progress of implementation of schemes.
- Meetings/Conferences are convened at Central level with the State Secretaries
of Tribal Welfare to ensure timely submission of proposals for release of
funds and to speed up implementation of schemes.
