Panaji, May 7: In a major setback to tribal welfare initiatives in Goa, the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has reportedly imposed a two-year freeze on the sanctioning of new tribal welfare projects in the state due to poor utilisation of previously allocated funds and pending utilisation certificates (UCs).The decision was taken after the Project Appraisal Committee (PAC) observed significant lapses in financial management and fund utilisation by the Goa government under tribal welfare schemes.According to available information, Goa had received an allocation of ₹8 crore for the financial year 2025–26, out of which projects worth ₹5.83 crore had already been approved. However, utilisation certificates amounting to ₹4.32 crore are still pending, including nearly ₹2.82 crore that reportedly remains unspent.Despite the large amount of unutilised funds, the state government had submitted fresh proposals seeking approval for additional projects worth ₹36.15 crore.The Centre is understood to have taken a serious view of the matter, stating that repeated delays in fund utilisation and submission of mandatory utilisation certificates reflected poor financial planning and implementation. As a result, the Ministry has placed a temporary moratorium on new sanctions for tribal welfare projects in Goa for the next two years.The development is likely to affect several proposed welfare initiatives intended for tribal communities across the state. The freeze may also raise concerns regarding the functioning of departments responsible for implementing tribal development schemes and monitoring expenditure.The issue has triggered debate over whether welfare funds meant for tribal communities are being effectively utilised and whether administrative inefficiencies are depriving beneficiaries of critical development support.