Keonjhar: Even as Special Development Councils (SDCs) have been formed in several tribal-dominated districts of the state, it has been delayed in tribal-dominated Keonjhar district due to administrative apathy and lack of political will, a report said.
Delay in the SDC formation has triggered resentment among tribals who have blamed it on political leaders.
The state government has laid stress on formation of SDCs to push all-round development of tribals who have been suffering due to backwardness. The planning and convergence department had issued a letter-12060 September 21, 2017 to the district administration to form SDCs. Though one month has passed, there has been no progress in this direction, it was learnt.
SDC is aimed at drawing up plans and schemes for tribals, identifying backward and neglected pockets, monitoring the implementation of ongoing projects and schemes in tribal areas. Besides, the SDC is supposed to identify and take planned steps for conservation of art, culture, tradition and customs of indigenous people. The state government has decided to form SDCs in nine tribal-dominated districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur.
Sources said preparations for SDC formation have been in full swing in some districts while the formation process is at the last leg in other districts.
But, Keonjhar, which is at the second slot of the list, is lagging behind. Several tribal organisations and leaders have voiced concern over the delay in SDC formation. After formation of SDC, each tribal-dominated district will be provided Rs 1.5 crore which will be utilised for most backward and neglected areas.
“The SDC should be put in place immediately,” noted retired administrative officer Kumarmani Tanti. The art, culture, tradition of tribals which are fast vanishing can be saved with this, he added.
As per guidelines, a prominent tribal person of the district will be nominated by the government as chairperson of the SDC while other well known tribal leaders can be made vice-chairpersons. The government will also nominate people from various tribal groups as members of the council. Besides, three government officials who have worked in tribal or non-tribal sectors will be nominated as official members of the SDC while the collector will work its chief executive officer.
The chairperson will enjoy all facilities as entitled to a minister of state rank. The VCs and members will have facilities enjoyed by Zilla Parishad chairperson and members. The term of the council will be two years.
The project administrator of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) at the district headquarters will provide secretarial and technical support to the SDC. An executive committee will monitor the work and execute decisions. The collector will be its chairperson of the committee while PD (DRDA), DFO and other district level officers will be its members.
PA of ITDA, Sambit Kumar Nayak, who is in-charge of SDC formation, said preparation has just started and the government will be intimated about it after the council is formed. PNN
