Even if I issue a notification on corruption, it won't help: Ch Vidyasagar Rao

Excerpts:

One of three tribal villages you adopted last year is in bad shape. I visited Jawarla in Nanded district where most of its hamlets have dried wells. Women, especially girls, are forced to walk for one to two kilometers to fetch water. They are in dire need of water pumps so that water can reach to their padas. 

I have roped in Agriculture University of Parbhani to work in Jawarla. Varsity scientists are studying soil, crop and weather pattern there. They will submit a report giving precise information about best crops which can be grown there, which fertilisers can be useful. Concerned district collectors have been asked to chalk out a plan to develop the villages I have adopted. They have to identify programmes in consultation with the locals and dig up percolation tanks and check dams for rain harvesting before meeting me next month. Besides, we would support women self help groups in these villages for backyard poultry. This would increase their income.

According to an RTI reply as reported by an English daily, over 882 tribal kids died in the residential schools in past five years across 10 states. Of them, 684 belonged to Maharashtra. Have you sought clarification from the government on this? 

I have not seen this news report....However, I had visited one Ashram shala in Nandurbar district where political leaders had usurped the funds. Residential school didn't have toilets and hostel. Kids used to sleep in classrooms at night. When I asked the collector, he cited helplessness as he didn't have power to take action against errant officers. After my instruction, the rule was revised and requisite power has been given to all collectors. Problem is that most of the collectors don't visit Ashram Shalas. There are some very good tribal schools also with all modern infrastructure, mainly in Nashik. There is no dearth of funds but we don't have people (who can deliver).

Most tribal kids drop out of schools because of poor quality education which is also affecting community's social mobility. What is the way out?

Yes. I am also concerned that most tribal schools offer only Arts stream at HSC level while many kids want to study medicine or engineering. Unavailability of science teachers is a major issue and we are working on it.

Besides, on the lines of Telangana and Andhra we have made a provision to transfer 5% fund of the Tribal sub-plan directly to the gram panchayat last year. This has empowered the villagers who can decide how much fund should be utilized and where.

There are reports of corruption in this scheme as well. Some panchayat members have allegedly spent the money on personal work. 

The money being given to gram panchayat is not that much which can lead to corruption. There are guidelines about utilisation of the TSP fund.

Villagers accuse that panchayat members spent most of the money on civil and construction work where chances of corruption is more. Many tribal villages don't have water supply but have network of drains. 

Even if I issue a notification stating that there should be no corruption, it won't help.

What is your view on tribal certificate scam exposed by the dna recently? 

I have read dna reports. The Tribal Research and Training Institute was asked about it. The director confirmed that the bogus tribal issue is a serious matter. After that, I asked chief minister many times to convene the Tribal Advisory Council meet and set-up an SIT to probe the matter. It was good to see that the CM held a council meet which has approved the SIT.

Despite chronic drought, Maharashtra doesn't seem to have a long term policy to address the issue. Do you agree the government must discourage sugarcane farming and curb water supply to sugar mills, breweries and bottling plants in the dry areas? Rather the government has reportedly approved more sugar mills and bottling plants last year. 

Sugar mills and bottling plants can't be shut down overnight. We can't assume that drought will continue in future. Besides, advising farmers not to grow cash-rich crops is not easy.