Guwahati: Union ministry of tribal affairs has said health centres in the indigenous community-inhabited areas of Assam are running with a shortage of 349 female health workers and 50 doctors.

In its annual report 2017-18, the ministry said Assam is the third state after Bengal and Gujarat where so many female heath workers and auxiliary nurse midwife posts are lying vacant in the sub health centres and primary health centres in indigenous community-inhabited areas.

The revelation has come at a time when the BJP-led government, which came to power in the state in support of various indigenous communities, is going to complete two years in May.

The Scheduled Tribe (ST) population in Assam is 38,84,371, which is 12.44 per cent of the state's total population. With 35.1 per cent of the total ST population, Bodos is the largest indigenous community, followed by Misings (17.5 per cent), Karbis (11.1 per cent), Rabhas (7.6 per cent) and Sonowal Kacharis (6.5 per cent).

The report said the indigenous community-inhabited areas are facing this shortfall of health workers despite the fact that there are excess sub centres and public health centres in these areas.

There are 1,283 sub centres as against the demand for 1,221 and 283 primary health centres as against demand for 183.

However, 31 community health centres are running against the demand for 45.

The report said while the indigenous community-inhabited areas require 283 doctors there are only 233 doctors serving these areas.

The Telegraph on Sunday reported that the ministry has decided to stop release of funds to Assam till it submits utilisation certificates and progress report of earlier projects.

It expressed unhappiness over the tardy implementation of projects for indigenous communities.