Lok Sabha Question No. 2160 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-01
Subject: Socio-Economic Condition of Tribals
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: SAVITRI THAKUR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2160

TO BE ANSWERED ON 1.1.2018

## SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITION OF TRIBALS

## 2160.  SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR:

Will the Minister of Tribal Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the socio-economic condition of tribals has not improved adequately over the years in the country and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b)  the  details  of  various  schemes/programmes  being  implemented by the Government for the socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs); and
- (c)  whether the benefits  of the schemes meant for the tribals have not percolated down to the intended beneficiaries and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JASWANTSINH BHABHOR)

- (a)  to  (c):        The  overall  socio-economic  development  of  the  tribal  population  along  with preservation and promotion of traditional tribal cultural heritage is being done through different schematic interventions of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and other Ministries / Departments of Government of India. Over the years, the Central and State Governments have been taking various initiatives for socio-economic upliftment of tribal population of the country.  This includes the Tribal  Sub-Plan  (TSP)  strategy.    This  is  a  multi-pronged  strategy  which  includes  support  for education, health, sanitation, water supply, livelihood, etc.

Data pertaining to decennial census, large scale sample surveys conducted by National Sample  Survey  Office  (NSSO)  and  various  other  surveys  conducted  by  different  Ministries/ Departments of Government of India, reveal that there have been vast improvements in socioeconomic conditions of the Scheduled Tribes, for example, the percentage of STs below poverty line in rural areas has improved from 47.4 % in 2009-10 to 45.3 % in 2011-12, literacy rate for STs has improved from 47.1% in 2001 to 59% in 2011 and, Infant Mortality Rate has declined from 57.0 (2005-06) to 44.4 (2015-16). However, there are still gaps as compared to figures of total population, as shown in the Table given below:

| Indicators                                                                                                                            | Total population   | Scheduled Tribes   |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
| Rural BPL(2011-12) (Tendulkar Method)                                                                                                 | 25.7%              | 45.3%              |
| Literacy Rate: Census 2011                                                                                                            | 73.0%              | 59.0%              |
| Infant Mortality Rate (number of infant deaths per 1000 live births during the year): National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), 2015-16 | 40.7               | 44.4               |

Details of schemes / programmes being implemented for the socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) are given at Annexure.

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Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) to (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2160 for 1.1.2018 regarding 'Socio-Economic Condition of Tribals'

## Schemes /programmes being implemented by Ministry of Tribal Affairs

(i) Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS): It  is  a  100% grant from Government of India. It is charged to Consolidated Fund of India (except grants for North Eastern  States,  a  voted  item)  and  is  an  additive  to  State  Plan  funds  and  efforts  for  Tribal Development. This grant is utilized for economic development of Integrated Tribal Development Project  (ITDP),  Integrated  Tribal  Development  Agency  (ITDA),  Modified  Area  Development Approach (MADA), Clusters, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and dispersed tribal population. SCA to TSS covers 23 States: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

(ii) Grants-in-Aid under Article 275(1) of the Constitution: It is a 100% annual grant from Government of India to States. It is charged to Consolidated Fund of India (except grants for North Eastern  States,  a  voted  item)  and  is  an  additive  to  State  Plan  funds  and  efforts  for  Tribal Development. Under the programme of Proviso to Article 275(1) of Constitution of India, Grants are released to 27 States for raising the level of Administration in Scheduled Areas and for the welfare of tribal people.  Funds are released to States based on proposals received from the State Governments based upon the needs of ST population, to bridge the gap in sectors like education, health and agriculture, etc.

## (iii) Scholarships schemes for ST Students:

## A. Pre-Matric Scholarships to ST Students

- Applicable to students who are studying in Classes IX - X. Priority is given to girls.
- Parental income from all sources should be less than Rs.2.00 lakhs per annum.
- Scholarship  of  Rs.150/-  per  month  for  day  scholars  and  Rs.350/-  per  month  for hostellers is given for a period of 10 months in a year.
- Scholarship is distributed through the State Government/UT Administration.

## B. Post Matric Scholarships to ST Students

- Applicable to students who are studying in any recognized course from a recognized institution for which qualification is Matriculation/Class X or above. Priority is given to girls.
- Parental income from all sources should be less than Rs.2.50 lakhs per annum.
- Compulsory fees charged by educational institutions are reimbursed subject to the limit fixed by the concerned State Fee fixation committee and scholarship amount of Rs.230 to Rs.1200 per month, depending upon the course of study is paid.
- Scholarship is distributed through the State Government/UT Administration.
- Remedial and special coaching is provided to ST students in Classes IX to XII.

## C. National Overseas Scholarships

- Provides financial assistance to selected students to pursue Post Graduation, Ph.D & Post-Doctoral study abroad.
- A total of 20 awards are given every year. Of these, 17 awards are for STs and 3 awards for students belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
- Parental/family income from all sources does not exceed Rs.6.00 lakhs per annum.
- Disbursement  of  scholarships  through  the  Ministry  of  External  Affairs/  Indian Missions abroad.

## D. National fellowship & scholarship for higher education of ST students:

## (i) Scholarship for Higher Education (earlier known as Top Class Education for ST Students)

- Scholarship is given to ST students for pursuing studies in prescribed courses in any of the 158 institutions of excellence across the country like IITs, AIIMS, IIMs, NIITs, etc., identified by the Ministry. Priority is given to girls.
- Total number of scholarships is 1000 per year.
- Family income from all sources should not exceed Rs.6.00 lakhs per annum.
- Scholarship amount includes tuition fees, living expenses and allowances for books and computer.

## (ii) Fellowship (earlier known as Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme for ST Students).

- 750  fellowships  are  provided  to  ST  students  each  year  for  pursing  higher studies in India for MPhil and PhD.
- Fellowship is granted as per University Grants Commission norms. (Presently, @ Rs.25,000/- for Junior Research Fellowship and @Rs.28,000/- for Senior Research Fellowship).

## (iv) Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

There  are  certain  groups  among  Scheduled  Tribes  who  have  declining  or  stagnant population,  low  level  of  literacy,  pre-agricultural  level  of  technology  and  are  economically backward.  These groups are among the most vulnerable sections of our society as they are few in numbers, have not attained any significant level of social and economic development and generally inhabit remote localities having poor infrastructure and administrative support.  75 such groups in 18  States  and  one  UT  have  been  identified  and  categorized  as  Particularly  Vulnerable  Tribal Groups  (PVTGs).    The  scheme  is  implemented  in  accordance  with  CCD  (Conservative-cumDevelopment) / Annual Plans prepared by the State / UT through various agencies of the State Government/UT Admn like Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDPs) / Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) and Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs).  It is a 100% Central Sector Scheme.

## (v) Scheme  of  Grant-in-aid  to  voluntary  organizations  working  for  the  welfare  of Scheduled Tribes.

The Scheme was launched in 1953-54 and was last revised w.e.f. 1 st April 2008.     The prime objective of the scheme is to enhance the reach of welfare schemes of Government and fill the gaps in service deficient tribal areas, in the sectors such as education, health, drinking water, agro-horticultural productivity, social security net etc. through the efforts of voluntary organizations, and to provide favourable environment for socio-economic upliftment and overall development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs).  Any other innovative activity having direct positive impact on the socio-economic development or livelihood generation of STs may also be considered through voluntary efforts.  The scheme is Central Sector Scheme.  The grants are provided to the non-governmental organizations on application, in a prescribed format, duly recommended by the multi-disciplinary State Level Committee of the concerned State Government/UT Administration. Funds are generally provided to the extent of 90% by the Government.  The voluntary organization is expected to bear the remaining 10% balance from its own resources.

## (vi) Vocational Training in Tribal Areas.

The main aim of the Scheme is to develop the skills of the ST youth for a variety of jobs as well  as  self-employment  and  to  improve  their  socio-economic  condition  by  enhancing  their income.  The scheme covers all the State and Union Territories.  It is not an area-specific scheme, the condition being that free vocational training facilities are extended only to tribal youth 100% grants  under  the  scheme  are  provided  to  the  State,  Union  Territories  and  other  Associations implementing the Scheme.  Each Vocational Training Centre (VTC) under the Scheme may cater to 5 vocational courses in traditional skills depending upon the employment potential of the area. Keeping in view the limited potential of even skilled persons in interiors areas, each ST boy/girl is  trained  in  two  trades  of  his/her  choice,  the  course  in  each  trade  being  for  duration  of  three months.  Each trainee is to be attached at the end of six months to a master craftsman in a semiurban/urban area for a period of six months, to learn his/her skills by practical experience.  The scheme has been revised with effect from 1.4.2009 to provide enhanced financial norms and to ensure linkages of vocational courses with recognized certificate/diploma through affiliation/accreditation  of  courses  and  institutions  under  Modular  Employable  Skills  and Craftsman Training Scheme by National Council of Vocational Training of Ministry of Labour and Employment.

## (vii) Scheme of Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts.

The primary objective of this Central Sector Scheme is promotion of education among tribal girls in the identified low literacy districts of the country.  The scheme, revised w.e.f. 1 st April 2008,   aims to improve the socio-economic status of the poor and illiterate tribal population through the education of women.  The Scheme has been revised with effect from 1.4.2008.  Now it is being implemented in 54 identified low literacy districts where ST Population is 25% or more and ST female literacy rate is below 35% as per 2001 census.  The Scheme aims to bridge the gap in literacy levels between the general female population and tribal women and is meant exclusively for ST Girls.  The educational complexes are established in rural areas of identified districts and have classes I to V with a provision for upgradation up to class XII, provided there is sufficient accommodation  for  classrooms,  hostel,  a  kitchen,  gardening  and  for  sports  facilities.    The educational complexes impart not only formal education to tribal girls but also train the students in agriculture, animal husbandry, other vocations and crafts to make them economically strong.

## (viii) Support to Tribal Research Institutes

Support to Tribal Research is a sub-scheme of Umbrella Programme for Development of Scheduled Tribes.  Under this component, Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been extending financial support to  TRIs through the Scheme 'Support to TRIs' for identified activities such as research and evaluation studies, documentation & preservation, organizing workshops / seminars/training, purchase, maintenance & preservation of artifacts for the existing museums, organize exchange visits  by  tribals  etc.  TRIs  are  engaged  in  the  work  of  providing  planning  inputs  to  State Governments,  conducting  research  and  evaluation  studies,  collection of data, identifying challenges in the field of socio-economic development of tribals and understanding, promoting and  preserving  their  culture.  Training  and  capacity  building  of  stakeholders  and  knowledge advocacy that would help formulate evidence based policy and planning in respect of tribals are also undertaken by these Institutes.

## (ix) Umbrella Programme for Development of Scheduled Tribes - Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana

## (a) Supporting  Projects of All India or Inter-State nature:

Supporting projects  of  all  India  or  Inter-State  nature  is  a  component  of  sub  scheme  of  Tribal Festival and Research. Under this component, financial support is provided to Non Governmental organizations / Institutions / Universities for following activities:

i) Research and Evaluation studies, ii)  Workshops  /  Seminars  helpful  in  orienting  developmental  programmes  for  the Scheduled Tribes and disseminating knowledge and experience concerning tribal people and their areas, and

iii) Publication of literature on tribal development.

(b) Centres of Excellence: The Ministry extended financial support to research Institutes and organizations for carrying out short-term research and extension work among tribal communities in the country. In order to continue research studies on regular basis, the Ministry has identified and recognized Institutes/ Organizations as Centres of Excellence to involve them for working out long  term  and  policy  oriented  research  studies  for  the  development  of  tribals  of  the  country. Financial support is provided to these organisations to enhance and strengthen the institutional resource  capabilities,  to  conduct  qualitative,  action  oriented  and  policy  research  on  tribal communities.

(c) Tribal Festival :  Under this component of the scheme, participation of STs in sports and culture at local, District, State and National levels is envisaged by encouraging their inherent talent and ensuring participation at National and International events. Under the scheme cultural melas, festivals  and  sports  meet  are  organized  at  the  State  and  National  level  encouraging  tribal artists/folk art performers and sports persons and preserving, promoting and disseminating tribal arts and traditional tribal sports.

## (x) Institutional support for Development and Marketing of Tribal Products / Produce

The scheme is continuing since 1992-93.  Then this comprised of two different sub-schemes viz.,  (i)  Grant-in-Aid  to  STDCCs  for  MFP  Operations,  and  (ii)  Market  Development  of  Tribal Products/Produce.  It was reviewed during the year 2013-14.  Based on independent evaluation of the performance of both the sub-schemes and keeping in view the basic objectives of the two and the need for more focused interventions, the sub-schemes were merged into a single Central Sector Scheme titled 'Institutional Support for Development and Marketing of Tribal Products/Produce' for the remaining period of the 12 th Five Year Plan.  The revised scheme focuses on socio-economic security of the tribal population through market intervention, skill up-gradation and  infrastructural  support.    The  scheme  is  being  implemented  through  Tribal  Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) and the State Tribal Development Cooperative Corporations (STDCCs).

## (xi) Mechanism  for  marketing  of  Minor  Forest  Produce  (MFP)  through  Minimum support Price (MSP) and development of Value Chain for MFP.

The scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme Introduced in the year 2013-14 for providing social safety for MFP gatherers, who are primarily Scheduled Tribes.  The scheme seeks to establish a system to ensure fair monetary returns to MFP gatherers for their efforts in collection, primary processing, storage, packaging, transportation etc. The scheme envisages fixation and declaration of Minimum Support Price  (MSP)  for  the  selected  Minor  Forest  Produce  (MFP).  Procurement  and Marketing operations at pre-fixed MSP is undertaken by designated State agencies. Being a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, the funds are released to the States in the ratio of 75% Central Government share: 25% State Government share.

## Some major schemes of other Ministries / Departments are as follows:

The Department of Rural Development, inter-alia, is implementing various rural development programmes namely, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana  (PMGSY),  Deendayal  Antyodaya  Yojana-National  Rural  Livelihoods  Mission  (DAYNRLM) and National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) to bring about overall improvement in the quality of life of the people in rural areas, including tribals. Department has been earmarking funds  towards  Scheduled  Tribe  Component  (STC)  (erstwhile  Tribal  Sub  Plan)  under  Pradhan Mantri  Awaas  Yojana-Gramin  (PMAY-G)  and  Deendayal  Antyodaya  Yojana-National  Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).

Some of the schemes administered by Ministry of Women and Child Development are as follows:

- 1) Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme
- 2) One Stop Centre Scheme
- 3) Women Helpline Scheme
- 4) UJJAWALA : A Comprehensive Scheme for Prevention of trafficking and Rescue, Rehabilitation and Re-integration of Victims of Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation
- 5) Working Women Hostel
- 6) Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme for the Children of Working Mothers.

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