Centre urged to review policy of funding on population

Arunachal Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Kalikho Pul has urged Centre to review population criterion for releasing grants and make it based on the requirement of the state. 

A tribal state inhabited by the indigenous Scheduled Tribe population of 9,51,821 (68.78 per cent) of its 13,83,727 total population as per 2011 census, the grants-in-aid on population criterion has been too meagre, Pul told a meeting of state tribal affairs ministers in New Delhi yesterday, an official release said here today.

"The sensitive border state deserves special attention for development funding by considering socio-economic development parameters, resource constraints, difficult geographical terrains, strategic location, high cost of construction and lack of communication facilities. Many of the administrative circles in the border areas are yet to be connected by road," he said.

"I would also request the ministry to consider proposals for creation of minimum supporting staff under central funding for setting up of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) in each district as per Centre guidelines which prescribes that development block where ST population is higher than 50 per cent must have ITDAs," he said.