Gujjars allege embezzlement of funds

An organisation representing Gujjars and Bakerwals today alleged embezzlement of around Rs 5,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir in schemes meant for their welfare under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) since 1991.
"There have been large scale embezzlement of funds under the TSP since 1991, when the Gujjars and Bakkerwals were granted ST status", Bhartiya Gujjar Mahasabha (BGM) President, Eshfaq-ur-Rehman Poswal, told reporters here.
"No accountability has been fixed over such large misappropriation, while the Gujjars, Bakerwal and other tribal communities of the state still continue to be backward and deprived of other basic amenities including power, water, education and road connectivity," he said.

"Had the funds been utilised properly and in a transparent manner, the situation on ground would have been different?", he added.
Poswal said, "In 1991, the annual plan of the state was Rs 20,00 crore. As per the guidelines of Planning Commission of India, an amount o Rs 150 crore should have been spent for the betterment of tribal communities under the TSP.
"Similarly, with each passing year, the annual plan increased with subsequent increase in population but unfortunately, the tribal communities were not given their due share under TSP."

He pointed out that at present the annual budget of the state is Rs 8,000 crore and as per guidelines, Rs 800 crore should be spent under TSP.

"The government should tell as to how much money has been spent so far under TSP", he said.
"We have also submitted a memorandum to the cabinet sub-committee during its visit to Kathua in this regard", Poswal said.