‘ST Commission lacks functional autonomy’

BHUBANESWAR: “The National Commission for Scheduled Tribe (NCST) is lacking in functional autonomy,” stated activists like Sandeep Pattnaik of the National Centre for Advocacy Studies (NCAS) and former State Information Commissioner (SIC) Jagadananda at a State level workshop on ‘Tribal Rights Advocacy’ and book launching function organised by the NCAS here on Friday.

Pattnaik said the tribals in the country are still languishing in helplessness even after the legislation of so many Acts and introduction of so many schemes for their socio-economic development. So that the NCST should get functional autonomy to see positive changes, said Pattnaik which was supported by Jagadananda.

The former SIC suggested utilisation of Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) funds in a proper way. He also stressed the need for a law to be enacted on the TSP following the Andhra Pradesh pattern for better accountability in respect of the funds utilization for development of tribals.

At the end of the workshop, the activists led by former minister Panchanan Kanungo discussed about functioning of the Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) in the State and proper implementation of ICDS in tribal areas.

During the workshop four Odia booklets titled ‘Rastriya Janajati Ayoga’, ‘Janajati Upadesta Praised’, ‘Anganwadi Yojana, Odishara Anagrasara Anchalara Stiti ebam Samikhya’ and ‘Extending Quality Education to Tribal Children in Ashram Schools’ were released in the workshop.