Team Goemkarponn
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has demanded that the Goa government immediately release all pending Tribal Welfare Funds and ensure timely implementation of schemes meant for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) community.
Addressing the media in Margao, the party presented a list of demands aimed at safeguarding the rights and development of tribal communities, while also slamming the BJP-led state government for its continued neglect. AAP called for urgent approval and full utilization of welfare funds, regular public audits of Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) expenditure, and the formal notification of Scheduled Areas in Goa. The party also pressed for the recognition of forest rights, strengthening of the Tribal Advisory Council with representation from tribal civil society, and empowerment of tribal youth through education, skills, and employment programs.
AAP accused the government of making empty promises and failing to act despite years of commitments. The party vowed to raise the issues concerning tribal communities both within and outside the Goa Legislative Assembly. It criticized the state for ignoring fundamental rights, stating that government departments responsible for tribal welfare, including the SC/ST Commission and the Tribal Welfare Department, have become inactive and corrupt. These allegations, AAP pointed out, were earlier raised by former Tribal Welfare Minister Govind Gaude himself, who belongs to the tribal community.
According to AAP, the government has failed to utilize even 10 percent of the reserved budget meant for tribal welfare. Of the 10.23% allocated under the TSP this year, only 4%—around ₹1,200 crore—has been earmarked, and not more than ₹300 crore has actually been spent. These funds, AAP claimed, are entangled in bureaucratic red tape while tribal communities continue to suffer from poverty, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, poor healthcare, lack of quality education, and substandard housing. The party alleged that the government has also failed to implement constitutional provisions such as Article 275 and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Recalling the sacrifices of two tribal youth who died while fighting for community rights, AAP said their demands remain unmet to this day. The party criticized the SC/ST Commission set up in 2011-12 for lacking clear guidelines and direction. AAP also pointed out that although the Kunbi and Velip communities were granted ST status in 2003, the notification of Tribal Areas is still pending. Additionally, of the more than 10,000 forest rights claims filed by tribal residents, over 8,500 are yet to be resolved—despite the Chief Minister’s assurance during the Lok Sabha election campaign that all claims would be cleared by March 2024.
