States diverting funds of tribal areas, Bhuria tells Kalam

New Delhi, June 15 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kanti Lal Bhuria today urged President A P J Abdul Kalam to direct the governors of the states, who were diverting funds meant for tribal sub-plans to non-tribal areas, to ensure proper action as per the Central government's guidelines under Articles 5 and 6 of the Constitution.

Mr Buria, who belongs to the tribal district of Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh, told the President that many state governments were diverting funds meant for tribal sub-plan to other purposes in non-tribal areas thereby depriving the tribals and tribal-predominant areas of their benefits.

Mr Bhuria made this observation when he met the President to invite him to visit a tribal village in the tribal-dominated Jhabua district during his tour of Madhya Pradesh to mark the beginning of monsoon session of state Assembly.

The Minister requested the President to take necessary action to ensure that the tribals living on the tribal land since 1980 were not uprooted from their land as that land was the only source of their livelihood.

The tribal leader urged the President to also ensure that the Union government and the state governments posted dynamic and efficient officers and employees in the tribal areas so that they properly execute the schemes meant for the uplift and prosperity of tribals.

Mr Bhuria told Dr Kalam that the tribals of Jhabua and the neighbouring areas were earning their livelihood in the traditional manner and his visit to his region would be a great historic occasion.

Mr Bhuria gave all the information sought by the President on the state of agriculture, horticulture, primary education, and kisan credit cards provided to farmers in Jhabua and Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh.

UNI YS PK ND2002