Imphal, October 22: Members of the district level committees formed for selection of beneficiaries pf various centrally sponsored schemes of the five hill districts have expressed strong concern over the failure of the tribal development department and the state government to release the funds sanctioned for such schemes for the year 1999-2000.Thangjakam Misao, chairman of the association formed by the members of the beneficiary selection committees of the five hill districts, told IFP that for unexplained reasons, funds already sanctioned by the Central government for the year 1999-2000 for tribal beneficiaries for the five hill districts under various schemes are still being kept in abeyance by the state authorities.

He said several complaints in this regard have been made to the advisor (K), the principal secretary, TD, and the director, TD but to no effect as any action has been taken up by the government to redress the grievances of the tribal beneficiaries.

He also maintained that the state government has even paid no heed to a ruling of the Gauhati High Court for immediate payment of the sanctioned amount.

The total amount to be received for the year 1999-2000 is a little over Rs 1 crores.

He also disclosed that tribal beneficiaries have been regularly getting the amounts sanctioned for various centrally sponsored schemes, and newly selected beneficiaries have already got the benefit of the funds sanctioned for 2000-2001.The government has even completed formalities for implementation of new schemes for 2001-2002, he stated.

Stating that the tribal beneficiaries for the year 1999-2000 have been suffering for no fault of their own, association representatives also told IFF that if no payment is made the next time the RBI lifts the restrictions on encashment of government bills, no new schemes under the tribal development department would be allowed to implement in the hill districts.

Maintaining that it was a complete injustice and discrimination against the tribals, they said they intended to take up drastic steps including bandhs and strikes to get justice.

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