Say allocation is many times also diverted for non-tribal areas
Soiru Velip
Panaji: Despite the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population comprising 10.23% of Goa’s population as per the 2011 Census, the state government has consistently failed to allocate proportionate funds under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP), tribal leaders said.
In the state budget for 2025-26, the government has allocated Rs 1,480 crore under the TSP out of a total budget of Rs 28,162 crore — only 5.2%, against the required 10.23% or Rs 2,880 crore. The allocation for the current financial year (2024-25) was Rs 1,375 crore out of Rs 26,850 crore (5%), and in 2023–24, it was Rs 1,270 crore out of Rs 25,258 crore (4.9%).
Tribal activist Rama Kankonkar said he has been raising the issue for over five years without any resolution. “Many schools in tribal villages are in bad condition, there are no proper roads, lack of health facilities, and no employment opportunities. But the government has failed to make provision of funds in proportion to the ST population and also failed to utilise the funds for the development of the community,” he said.
ST leaders have also pointed out that even the small percentage that is allocated is either underutilised or diverted for non-tribal areas. In 2023-24, only 65% of the TSP funds were used across 28 departments, with the nodal Tribal Welfare Department utilising just 52.86%.
Youth leader Dr Satyawan Gaonkar from Shiroda-Ponda said the TSP must be used for the true upliftment of Goa’s tribal communities — Gawada, Kunbi, and Velip.
“First, the government needs to look into education for ST community students. Secondly, it should be used for business loan purposes. Thirdly, it should resolve land-related issues besides providing road facilities to all remaining tribal villages,” he said.
