JEYPORE: The Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Jeypore, has drawn flak from different quarters for not utilising funds for development works in five blocks under Jeypore sub-division.

At a meeting here on Monday, the participants, including Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Rabi Naryan Nanda expressed dissatisfaction over the poor performance of the ITDA which, he said, had failed to divert funds for socio-economic development. The agency utilised only Rs 1.43 cr of the Rs 2.14 crore allotted for developmental works, the meeting observed.

Nanda also expressed displeasure over the investment in cashew plantation schemes by the Soil Conservation department and remarked that a major part of the fund was misutilised by officials. He directed the district administration to be careful before using public money in plantation schemes.

Koraput collector Aprajita Sadangi said the cashew plantation programme was a success in Kundura block and informed the members that official squads had been constituted to observe the performance of the Soil Conservation department.

The annual action plan of the ITDA for the year 2001-2002 was tabled during the meeting. People’s representatives and officials of Jeypore, Kotpad, Kundura, Borrigumma and Kotpad blocks participated