Mysuru: Former Mysuru-Kodagu Member of Parliament and JD(S) leader Adagooru H. Vishwanath sought to know how much the State Government has spent on the welfare of tribal people for community development in the last four years. Addressing participants at the 23rd International Adivasi Day celebrations organised by Karnataka Adivasi Rakshana Parishat, Mysuru unit, at Maharshi Valmiki Bhavan yesterday, Vishwanath said that the Congress State Government has been claiming that it has earmarked Rs. 84,000 crore for development of SC/ST and tribal communities for the past four years.

“Instead of rattling out figures that make no sense, the Siddharamaiah Government should announce how much it has spent towards tribals and how many have benefited from the schemes. The Government’s responsibility is not merely making announcements of schemes. It should also ensure proper implementation of the schemes,” he said.

The former MP regretted that though the Government has claimed that it has spent thousands of crores of rupees, tribals and backward communities remained backward without any changes in their lifestyle and livelihood.

Vishwanath said that the tribal community has been facing problems with regard to lack of basic facilities, drinking water, medical facility, etc. “Forest Department is trying to relocate them from the forest region and the Government has failed to resolve their issues,” he said. He urged the Government to construct Bhavans in the name of Birsa Munda, an Indian tribal freedom fighter.

“The Government had allotted Rs. 15 crore to develop Bhavans in five districts. But still, they have not been constructed. Birsa Munda was a great freedom fighter and the Government should publish a book on him,” he demanded.

The Conference was organised to discuss the tribal issues and their social, economical and political status. Several decisions were taken to impress upon the Govt. to implement policies and programmes. Chief among them are celebration of World Tribal Day on Aug. 9 every year, institution of ‘Adivasi Siri’ Award   to honour achievers from the community. The Conference also urged the Government to free the Western Ghats from the menace of Naxalism and establish multi-purpose Co-operative Societies for the welfare of tribals.

Construction of Adivasi Bhavans at District and Taluk levels and a separate commission to look into the welfare of tribals and nomads were also demanded in addition to the establishment of a special university in Chamarajanagar and Kodagu to comprehensively study tribal communities.

Prof K.M. Methri of Department of Tribal Studies, Hampi Kannada University, released the 2nd edition of ‘Adivasi Usiru.’ Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute Director T.T. Basavanagouda and Parishat President M. Krishnaiah were present.