Mechanism soon to monitor flow of funds for tribal welfare

Government is working on a mechanism to monitor the flow of funds from various central ministries to states for welfare of tribal people, Tribal Affairs Minister V Kishore Chandra Deo said today.
"We are trying to have a mechanism to monitor the (flow of) funds to states from various line ministries...Very soon, we will put in a system (in this regard)," Deo said in Lok Sabha after a debate on Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2012.
The bill, which was later passed by the House, seeks to modify the list of STs in Chhattisgarh and Kerala that would help tribal communities in the two states.

Deo's response came after members raised concern over diversion of funds meant for tribal welfare activities.
To queries from members with regard to status of Scheduled Tribes, the Minister said it would not be possible to have a common list for the whole country since every state prepares its own list of STs.
State governments have to send the recommendations about Scheduled Tribes to the central government, he said.

Regarding the issue of mining activities affecting tribal people, Deo said there have been violations and many state governments were not following the rules.
Noting that he has written to some states, Deo said governors also have powers to act against violations of tribal people.

"Displacement of tribal people is a major problem...And it has also resulted in unrest," he said.
In this context, he said that when the Land Acquisition Bill is passed, it would benefit the tribals.