Badly formulated tribal welfare schemes
Joao Fernandes
I have read the news item `Tribal Welfare Schemes find no takers’ that appeared in your news paper (Herald, January 14, 2013). It may be true that there are no takers for the tribal schemes formulated by the tribal department. But it is not because there are no needy tribals in Goa to take the benefit of the schemes, but the poor response is because most of the schemes that have been formulated by the tribal department, have been designed without application of mind, without seeking suggestions from the public.
There are no proper guidelines for the implementation of the schemes, there are no nodal officers appointed by the government, and I may not be wrong if it is said that the schemes have been formulated at the whims of the minister and the department responsible for tribal welfare.
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First of all the department is not functioning for the welfare of the tribals. Most of the staff deputed in this department are either incompetent or untrained. It takes many years for tribals to process their applications for a small scheme like ‘Sahayata.’ To cite one example: on September 30, 2011 at the request of the tribal department, we organized a one day seminar under the Sahayata scheme.
Though more than a year and a half have passed since the seminar was organized, we are yet to receive the amount. When there is an inordinate delay in releasing the payment, who will come forward to apply for the scheme from the tribal department?.
Now let’s examine the scheme mentioned in the news item ~ the scheme for purchase of a mundkar house. If mundkarial cases are not disposed off or linger for years together without closure, will the mundkar be able to apply for benefits under the scheme. The first step should be to expedite pending munkarial cases, as most of such cases pending are filed by tribals. Only then should the department have thought of formulating the scheme.
Similarly, the scheme for performing religious ceremony of the dead, has no guidelines. The scheme is not clear about who can make claims, when there are more than one legal heirs. Even with other schemes floated by the department, the formalities are tedious and beyond the reach of the most needy tribals. If there are no takers for the tribal schemes it is the tribal department and the government that is at fault.
