Hyderabad:Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda on Monday said that few states are not cooperating with the central government amid lockdown. The states must support the central government so that relief aids could reach to the poor and tribal people of the nation.
In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat Regional Editor Brajmohan Singh, Union Minister Arjun Munda said that tribals are being provided free access to rice, pulses and edible oil under Disaster Management Act.
Here are excerpts from the interview:
Q: Centre is monitoring the relief works in tribal areas, there are reports that relief materials are not reaching the needy and the poor?
A: As we have been in a state of lockdown for more than two months, we are aware of the ground realities in the country. Due to lockdown, aids are not reaching to the poor and the tribal people in the country. We are resuming some suspended works. The respected states are expected to take care of their people. The states should take the help of railways. As we understand it, there are coordination problems in some states and migrant workers are not being properly taken care of. The states must use their resources and help the people who are in distress. What is more important is that all must maintain social distancing.
Q: You were mentioning some states are not coordinating well with the centre. Is there any problem with naming them?
A:There are many states and it is not appropriate to name them here. We expect that the states from where a large number of workers go out of the state (refuse to name Bihar, though)...act seriously. For example, there are many migrants from Jharkhand who are stuck in other states. Jharkhand government should contact the authorities and try to bring them home. The state government should act pragmatically so that the miseries of common people is addressed.
Q: States like Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh where tribals are in great numbers.. are they maintaining social distancing and adhering to prescribed medical norms?
A: Tribals always maintain social distancing. There may be issues in urban areas but tribals are living in remote areas, therefore, are practising social distancing. We had taken up awareness programmes in tribal areas in this regard.
Q: Government of India has announced a package worth 20 lakh crore, how will this benefit the tribals and people living on the margins of society?
A:Our goal is to provide them with employment. Under the disaster management act, we have started giving them free access to rice, pulses and edible oil. Besides this, we are trying to create an alternative source of employment for them. People who have reached villages will start agriculture-related activities now. Tribals are also availing benefits from the jungle produce. We will soon come out with a better work management plan in coordination with the state government.
Q: I would like to mention two areas in Jharkhand, Kolhan and Santhal areas, where people have been complaining about not receiving food and medicines. How is your ministry coordinating with the state government? There are media reports of hunger-related death in Jharkhand?
A: I have been in touch with tribals and monitoring the state of affairs in these areas. The local administration has been given special rights to deal with the situation by allocating special budgets. Some DCs are doing excellent jobs. I would like to highlight the problems faced by farmers. Farmers are not having access to the markets and we have spoken to the local government to help them in all possible manners to sell their produce.
Q: We spoke to the chief minister a few days back and he admitted that the state exchequer is vacant now and if the centre doesn't help them now, they will not be able to carry out necessary relief works in the state. What is your take on this?
A: The centre has been helping them. It is wrong to say that the state is bankrupt or they don't have any money. In a way, they are admitting that they have failed in managing finance in the state. This is a big question mark on the leadership and capability of the state government. They should know by now that how one should manage their resources. People of Jharkhand have given Hemant Soren responsibility. He should handle it with responsibility and should not cry instead.
Q: Have you spoken to the Jharkhand chief minister about the financial state in Jharkhand?
A:I had spoken to the CM and he had assured that all is well. He had assured that he is ready to rescue people by using aeroplanes also. This is not the time to do politics and all should stay united to fight against Covid-19.
Q: There are only four testing labs in Jharkhand. You have been chief minister of Jharkhand thrice, would you agree that we have to improve the health facilities in the state?
A: I am all for it and I have spoken to private sectors to extend required medical help. We have allowed Tata main hospital to conduct tests. But we need to work ourselves and start filling the gap. We encourage corona warriors and make them powerful.
Q: Prime minister himself has been talking about capacity building and shouldn't we encourage private players to speed up and set up such facilities in the state?
A:This crisis has made us understand that all states must work on improving health and education facilities.
Q. There are 13 tribals districts in Chhattisgarh. There are complaints that tribals are not getting sanitiser, food and medical facilities?
A: I would request the state administration to care for them and reach out to them. However, it is up to the state government to address their problems quickly.
Q: You must have noticed that tribals have been using masks made of leaves. Have you tried to reach out to them?
A: Our agencies are trying to help the state governments but we all know that the states have the responsibility to take proper care of them. With the encouragement coming from the Prime Minister, tribals are using leaves, clothes and gamcha.
Q: The population of Korba tribe is decreasing but there are reports that they are not getting the required help?
A: They are the primitive tribal group. They are vulnerable and we have told state governments to take care of them.
Q: Jharkhand is an industry-intensive state. How long it will take industries to open their gates for workers?
A: We have allowed the state government to demarcate red, green and orange zones. The state government should ensure that whatever actions they take are in consonance with the established NDMA norms.
