Question : UTILIZATION OF FUNDS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ADIVASIS

(a) whether some States of the country have not utilized even a single penny out of the funds allocated to them for development of Adivasi areas;

(b) if so, whether funds allocated by the Union Government for development of the Naxalite infested States have not been utilized;

(c) if so, the names of the States which have not utilized the funds allocated to them;

(d) whether the Union Government has sought any reply from the State Governments for not utilising the funds allocated to them; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (P. R. KYNDIAH)

(a) to (e) Instances of the type mentioned in parts (a) and (b) of the Question have not come to the notice of this Ministry. The schemes of the Ministry for the socio-economic development of tribal people/tribal areas are implemented through the State Governments and a few through NGOs. Funds under these schemes are released to the Departments in charge of Tribal Welfare in the State/UT Governments which are required to ensure that the benefits of the schemes reach the target groups/areas. Funds released under the various schemes are required to be utilised within 12 months from the date of sanction. The utilisation position submitted by the States shows that most of them have utilised more than 75% of the amount released within the stipulated time limit.

In order to ensure that the funds released under the schemes of the Ministry are utilised properly and expeditiously, the Ministry has further reiterated to the States that release of further funds would be dependent on utilisation of funds within the time prescribed for the purpose.