The Gakuved Federation has made serious allegations against Prakash Velip, President of the United Tribal Association Alliance (UTAA), accusing him and other members—including Minister Govind Gaude—of exploiting the organization for personal benefit instead of serving the interests of Goa’s Scheduled Tribe (ST) community.
The controversy gained momentum after the District Registrar (South), Suraj Vernekar, issued an interim order barring Velip from acting as UTAA President or handling its finances. The move came following several complaints and what officials described as mounting evidence of financial irregularities and mismanagement under Velip’s leadership.
Once regarded as a crucial platform for tribal rights in Goa, the UTAA is now facing a credibility crisis. The Gakuved Federation, a leading tribal advocacy group, claims the UTAA’s original mission—to empower and represent the state’s marginalized ST population—has been compromised by internal power struggles and the alleged diversion of funds and influence for self-serving agendas.
Federation leaders are calling for a comprehensive investigation, transparent elections, and tighter financial controls to restore the UTAA’s integrity. They argue that only a clean-up of the organization’s leadership and operations can rebuild trust among the ST community.
The District Registrar’s action is being viewed as a turning point. Tribal groups and community leaders say it must be followed by structural reforms and a renewed commitment to tribal welfare—free from political interference or personal agendas.