UTAA condemns govt for denying permission for tribal convention

Herald Publications: Margoa: Friday, March 21, 2014.

Condemning the government’s decision to deny permission for the tribal convention at Ponda grounds on March 30 to mark UTAA’s 10th anniversary of the organisation under the guise of the election code of conduct, the United Tribals Alliance Association (UTAA) on Thursday accused the government for sabotaging the convention saying the scheduled tribes in the state will take appropriate action.

“The scheduled tribes in the state are deeply hurt by the government decision denying us the permission for the convention scheduled to be attended by 25,000 tribals. We had invited Governor Bharat Vir Wanchoo to guide us at the convention. We fail to understand how the election code of conduct has come in the way of the convention when there was nothing political about the convention. Moreover, the government had been granting permissions for the Shigmo parades across the state,” rued UTAA chief Prakash Velip.

He said though the tribals will take appropriate action against the government for discriminating against them, Velip said UTAA would take a political stand at the right moment with the Lok Sabha poll round the corner.

He said UTAA must have spent around Rs 7-8 lakh on the proposed convention for making the preliminary preparations, adding that the organisation now plans to hold the convention by April end.

Velip lambasted the government for the failure to utilise the funds under the tribal sub-plan for the current financial year. As per information obtained under the RTI, around 70 per cent of the funds under the tribal sub-plan remained unspent during the last financial year. “For the current financial year, a total of Rs 416 crore was earmarked under the tribal sub-plan. But, the government has spent only around 95.30 crore, hardly 22 per cent of the outlay. UTAA will approach the authorities concerned with our grievances,” he added.

As far a backlog of vacancies for the STs are concerned, Velip pointed out backlog of 1900 vacancies still remains to be filled up till date.

The conference was attended by ZP member Maria Miranda and Sarpanchas of Sarzora Jacinto Fernandes, Herculiano Niasso (Davorlim), Joseph Vaz (Rachol), Margao Municipal Councillor Tito Cardozo, Govind Gawde and others.