Union tribal affairs minister Kantilal Bhuria (centre) with state Congress president KP Singh Deo (right) at the Congress Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 30: Union tribal affairs minister Kantilal Bhuria said that the Centre would initiate probe if any instance of irregularity is found in the implementation of development schemes funded by the central government.

Addressing Congress workers at the party’s state headquarters here, Bhuria asked them to reach to the doorsteps of the people and enquire whether they were getting the fruits of development projects funded by the central government.

“We are providing substantial financial amount to the state government for the development and welfare of the tribal and backward people. Central funds were also being provided for the construction of residential schools in the tribal areas and disbursement of scholarships to tribal students. However, the state government is trying to take all credits and hijack the central government’s welfare schemes,” he said.

Refuting the BJD’s allegation about Central neglect to Orissa, the union minister said: “The UPA government has provided more funds to Orissa, in comparison to the NDA government at the Centre.”

In order to bring the tribal people to the mainstream of development, the Centre was planning to spend Rs 13,000 crore in 60 tribal-dominated districts of the country in the next five years. “Steps would also be taken to issue land patta and give loans on a low interest. In the first phase, the tribal dominated Kalahandi district of the state will get the benefits of the project. Model residential schools will be set up in Malkangiri, Nuapada and Kalahandi districts also,” said Bhuria.

On the ongoing dal scam of mid-day meal scheme that has surfaced in the state, the union minister said the Centre would initiate action against the erring officials. The dal supplied to students in several parts of the state as part of the mid-day meal scheme was found to be of low quality.

Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president K.P. Singh Deo said the Supreme Court and the high court had made adverse remarks on the state government on various scams. “All out efforts would be made by the Congress workers to see that the several development projects funded by the central government are implemented properly,” he added.