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Bhubaneswar: Questions are being raised over the effectiveness of newly formed Tribal Development Councils in nine districts of the State as modalities are yet to be prepared by the State government.
Though provision has been made for allocation of Rs 1.5 crore annually for the councils for 112 blocks under the nine tribal dominated districts- Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur, how the bodies will spend the fund is yet to be clear.
The newly appointed chairmen of the development councils are also clueless about their roles.
Kamulu Jani, newly appointed Chairperson, Koraput District Special Tribal Development Council said, "I don't know what is expected from me as no guidelines have been issued so far."
Besides, the government has not clarified whether newly appointed chairmen of the councils will occupy two posts in case they are holding other charges.
The Koraput district development council chairperson is also sarpanch of Bijapur panchayat under Borigumma block. Similarly, Rayagada development council chairman Jagannath Nrundruka is also a panchayat samiti member of Shivpadar in Muniguda.
Meanwhile, SC and ST Development Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi said it is the personal choice of the newly appointed chairpersons if they wish to occupy both positions.
"The chairpersons have been appointed for two years whereas experts will be members of the councils. Whether they will occupy two posts is their choice," Majhi noted.