: The problems being faced by the tribal people in different parts of the country were discussed at the two-day national executive committee meeting of BJP Janajati (Scheduled Tribes) Morcha which began here on Tuesday.
Addressing the meeting, president of the BJP Scheduled Tribes wing Faggan Singh Kulaste said the Morcha would not tolerate any violation of the rights of the tribal people by the State governments while implementing the existing laws such as the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015.
He also criticised the Naveen Patnaik Government for its alleged failure to utilise Rs. 421 crore provided by the Centre for tribal welfare schemes.
Mr. Kulaste and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram further alleged that the Odisha government was diverting the funds meant for various tribal welfare schemes.
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The Centre provided Rs 421 crore to Odisha in 2014-15 for various tribal welfare schemes but the funds were diverted or not utilised as utilisation certificates for over Rs 186 crore were still awaited, Mr. Oram pointed out.
Exploitation
Both Mr. Oram and Mr. Kulaste expressed concern over the alleged sexual exploitation of tribal girls in several government-run residential schools in Odisha and demanded stringent action against the culprits.