AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava held a press conference in the state assembly complex, raising serious concerns about the allocation and misuse of funds meant for tribal development and welfare programs.
During the press briefing, Vasava alleged that scholarships for tribal students pursuing higher education have not been disbursed for the past two years, with authorities citing “no grants available” as the reason. He also stated that grants intended for malnourished children in tribal areas have not reached schools.
Food bills for tribal students in ashram schools have reportedly not been approved for several months, while bills for nutritious meals, fruits, and hot breakfasts for anganwadi workers and children have been pending for three to four months. Vasava said the government has only responded that payments will be made once grants are released.
The MLA also questioned the recent expenditure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s programs in the state. According to Vasava, funds from the Tribal Development Department budget were used for the events, with the following reported expenditures:
- Stage: ₹38 lakh
- VVIP mandap: ₹5.87 crore
- Parking: ₹3.61 crore
- Ambulance diesel: ₹16.39 lakh
- Toilet trollies: ₹2.40 crore
- Bus facilities for invited guests: ₹1.11 crore
- Drinking water: ₹51.96 lakh
- Dome: ₹2.06 crore
- Tea and snacks: ₹2 crore
- Parking arrangements by local panchayats: ₹2.51 crore
- Water supply: ₹57 lakh
- Resort payment: ₹18 lakh
- Payment to DGVCL: ₹1.16 crore
- Payment to ST Corporation for public transport: ₹6 crore
He further claimed that crores of rupees were spent on additional items such as tea and coffee, private vehicle rentals, VVIP hospitality, overnight stays, and banners/posters. Vasava questioned why such funds were used for lavish events, while basic development and welfare programs were underfunded. He pointed out that in just two months, five major programs including Development Festivals, Development Week, and Unity March were organized, costing crores more.
Vasava alleged that budgets approved by the Gujarat and central governments for tribal development are not reaching the intended beneficiaries, but are being diverted to government-sponsored ceremonial events. He said detailed information on the expenditures has been requested from the District Coordination Grievance Redressal Committee, which reportedly responded that the information will be provided within a week.
Addressing accusations made against him, Vasava stated, “Some MPs, who previously passed bills and vouchers with officials, have now made allegations against me. I ask them — do you have sufficient evidence against me? If not, publicly clarify, or else a defamation case will be filed against you. Two days ago, an MP stated that ‘Chaitar Vasava receives foreign funds.’ I say — you have been a seven-term MP, your party has ruled Gujarat and the Centre for decades, the police are under you, officials are under you — if you have evidence, take immediate action against me. If not, we will take action against you soon. It seems you are suffering from a mental disorder and require psychiatric treatment.”
Vasava also condemned a recent incident in which AAP Narmada district president Niranjan Vasava was allegedly attacked with stones by BJP-linked bootleggers. He said strict action will be demanded from the SP, warning of a larger campaign against bootleggers and drug peddlers in the Narmada district if authorities fail to act. “AAP will continue to fight on the issue of alcohol and drugs, from the streets to the assembly. We will not be intimidated by bootleggers or drug peddlers,” he said.
Regarding the MNREGA scam, Vasava reiterated that he possesses evidence of a multi-crore fraud carried out by agencies in Narmada and Bharuch districts. He said, “At the time, Mansukh Vasava dismissed these claims, but the MNREGA scam has since been proven true. The list of who committed fraud and the amounts involved has reached Mansukh Vasava. I request that he hand it over to his government and police so action can be taken against the guilty. If not, he has no right to make baseless allegations against me or any other leader.”
Vasava also questioned the construction of a ₹10 crore ‘Kamalm’ in Narmada, asking how it was funded. “Where did the money come from to build a five-star facility costing ₹10 crore, while grants for anganwadis, schools, and other essential services are unavailable? Mansukh Vasava should publicly disclose the source and details of this expenditure,” he said.