Fulfil budgetary obligations towards tribal development:Centre

New Delhi, Feb 14 (UNI) The Centre has directed the state governments to fulfill their respective statutory budgetary obligations towards the tribal populace.

Union Minister for DONER and Tribal Affairs P R Kyndiah told newspersons that it has come to the notice of the Centre that various state governments are not fulfilling their budgetary obligations towards the development of Scheduled Tribes in their respective states and they have been advised to rectify the situation from this year itself.

The Centre is determined to improve the standard of living and education of the Scheduled Tribals, Mr Kyndiah told newspersons at the conclusion of the day-long conference of State Ministers incharge of tribal welfare and development and meeting of the State Secretaries looking after the tribal affairs.

He said districts have identified across the country where literacy rate among the tribals is below the national average.

He said his Ministry has developed a special package for improving the level of education in all these districts.

Responding to a query, Mr Kyndiah said it has come to the notice of the Ministry that there are some primitive tribal communities in the country who have remained untouched by various programmes being run for their development. He said a selective package has been developed for them and is in the process of implementation.

Similarly, work is also on among other primitive groups whose population is on the decline. ''We have initiated programmes to identify the cause for the problems and measures to overcome them so that may be saved from becoming extinct,'' Mr Kyndiah added.

He said his Ministry has sought more Central grants for the development of the tribal regions with the object of restricting the migration of the tribals from their habitation. For this we will provide adequate irrigation facilities in these areas, he added.

UNI