Bhubaneswar, June 17: The national executive committee of the BJP's Scheduled Tribes cell today criticised the state government for its failure to implement the Mines Mineral Development Act.

Former chief minister and veteran tribal leader Giridhar Gamang also attended the meet today. Gamang, who will formally join the party tomorrow, said he had been attracted by the BJP's "pro-people" and "pro-tribal" policies.

The political resolution adopted at the concluding day of the national meet claimed that the Centre had authorised the government to implement the act by formatting the rules and regulations. However, the government has done nothing in this regard so far.

"The state government has not formulated any special scheme for the development of tribal people. The tribal-dominated Keonjhar district has lost nearly Rs 2,000 crore under the district mineral foundation, as the relevant law has not been formulated," the party's resolution alleged.

It added that the central government is providing sufficient funds to the states for tribal development, especially in the education sector. "The government is neither providing scholarships to the tribal students regularly nor is it spending the grants released for the model schools meant for tribal children," it further alleged.

Stating that the government has not been providing the minimum support price on forest produces to the tribal population, according to the Centre's directive, the morcha urged the Centre to pressurise the state to pay the dues to the tribal people.

Alleging that the state government has also not been issuing land pattas to landless tribal residents, the morcha demanded the establishment of special sections at every tehsil in tribal-dominated areas.

The BJP leaders also expressed concern over the growing incidence of tribal girls being subject to sexual abuse in residential schools. They also urged the Centre to institute a high-level committee to probe into the violations of the Odisha Reservation of Vacancies Act and ensure its enforcement.

While the national executive criticised the government for its "anti-tribal" stance, the morcha appreciated the "pro-people" and "pro-tribal" policies of the Modi government. The morcha enlisted 10 such schemes including the Pradhanmatri Jandhan Yojana, schemes for concrete houses for all, toilets for all, and toilets in all government schools, Mudra Banks to support the micro and small enterprises, the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, the Atal Pension Yojana, the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, the Kaushal scheme, and the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana.

The morcha also thanked the Modi government for appointing Droupadi Murmu as the governor of Jharkhand and Jual Oram as the Union tribal affairs minister. Both of them hail from the state.