STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) came down heavily on the BJP for its alleged failure to ameliorate the suffering of tribal people, alleging that funds meant for their development have failed to reach the needy.
In a press meet in Rajiv Bhawan on Tuesday, APCC leaders alleged that BJP slogan 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' is misleading as the saffron party does not wish equal development in reality. "The BJP is showing its true colours now. At a time when it is coining such slogans to placate the people, the tribal people in Assam are in a bad shape. The BJP government in Delhi and Assam are talking about development of the tribal people in Assam but these people do not have enough for two square meals. Due to this, many are choosing the path of suicide", the APCC leaders alleged.
APCC leaders pointed to the death of a rickshaw- puller to allege that funds meant for the development of the tribal people are not reaching those that need them, and these incidents prove this to be true. A probe was demanded by the APCC into funds they alleged are being misused.
In the press meet, the Congress leaders alleged that not only are the funds being misused but that the BJP eyes the tribal people with disregard. The government's move to evict the tribal people from Silsako after a short notice proves their point, they alleged.
It was also alleged that the probe into the death of SI Junmoni Rabha is progressing at a tardy pace only because she is tribal. They also questioned why the CM, who organizes cabinet meetings in different places across the state and goes around at the cost of tax-payers money, does not have time to visit Junmoni's mother, who stays a short distance from the capital complex.
It was pointed out that funds are provided both by the centre and state for development of the tribal people. But, in spite of this, a family in Lakhimpur district had to kill themselves due to poverty. The Congress leaders were referring to the incident in June of this year, when a mother killed her two children and then killed herself due to poverty in Naoboicha of Lakhimpur district. The wife of Akshay Payeng, a day labourer, had killed her two-years-old son and 15-day-old daughter before committing suicide. The Congress leaders questioned how such a heart-breaking incident could take place and demanded details of funds allocated for tribal communities, including those with autonomous councils. A white paper on fund allocated and their expenditure was demanded by APCC.
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