Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government seems to be faltering in empowering the tribal communities in the state by assisting them in selling and disposing of the non-timber minor forest produce under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of the government, a study suggests.
The study done by a Odisha-based think-tank ‘Community Forest Rights and Action Group’ based on the data available on central assistance and its utilization by state procurement agencies revealed startling facts about the massive apathy of the state SC and ST Development department in utilizing such funds. The funds are meant to assist the tribals in selling the produce at MSP to ensure a livelihood option.
The study claimed that till February 2018, the state procurement agency-Tribal Development Corporative Corporation (TDCC) of Odisha has been able to spend less than 6 per cent of the revolving fund meant for procurement of minor forest produce (MFP).
The study report said, “Till end of Feb 2018, the TDCC procured only six MFPs (Mohua Seed, Myrobolan, Seeded Tamarind, Chironjee Pod, Sal Seed, Karanja Seed) and spent a total of Rs 371 lakhs for procurement of products from 2014 – 2015 to 2017 – 2018 financial year, which is less than six per cent of the total ‘Revolving Fund’ meant for procurement of MFPs.”
It also added, “Similarly, the state government has been able to spend only 39% of the grant (Rs 431 lakhs out Rs 1091 lakhs) for infrastructure development like construction of godowns and modernization of haats.”
The study also claimed that less than 1 per cent of the targeted households are benefitted from the scheme. The Union government declared a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for selected MFPs in 2014 and provided a “Revolving Fund” on 75%-25% central-state sharing basis to different state governments for ‘operationalisation’ of the scheme.
The study cited several unresolved problems like no promotion and propagation of the scheme, no capacity building of primary procurement agencies, dormant state level committees, lack of capacity of the TDCC and major minor forest produce not procured due to conflicting laws and policies.
Tribal Livelihood expert Y Giri Rao, a member in the study told Orissa POST, “If the MSP scheme is implemented well it can benefit around 7 million people from the forested landscape of several tribal districts of Odisha, increase the income of the families involved and help in poverty alleviation besides improving the social indicators of many landless poor women.”