Lok Sabha Question No. 5572 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-02
Subject: Forest Villages in Chhattisgarh
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ABHISHEK SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5572

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2018

## FOREST VILLAGES IN CHHATTISGARH

## 5572. SHRI ABHISHEK SINGH:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of forest villages located in the reserved areas in the country under Gram Vikas Yojana in Chhattisgarh;
- (b) the funds sought by the Chhattisgarh Government for development works in the said villages during the last three years and the current year;
- (c) whether the Government has sanctioned the said amount; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

(a), (b), (c) & (d): Gram Vikas Yojana is not implemented by Ministry of Tribal Affairs.  However, Ministry of Tribal Affairs had implemented a programme for 'development of forest villages'from 200506 to 2011-12 as one-time measure for integrated development of forest villages with a view to raise the Human Development  Index  (HDI)  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  forest  villages  and  for  providing  basic facilities and services in 2,474 forest villages/habitations that were covered under the scheme spread over  twelve  States  in  the  country  including  425  villages  of  Chhattisgarh.  The  programme  was implemented as part of the Special Area Programme 'Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Plan'. The programme included infrastructure works relating to basic services and facilities viz., approach roads, healthcare, primary education, minor irrigation, rain water harvesting, drinking water, sanitation, community halls etc. and activities related to income generation. Components that were earlier funded by Ministry of Tribal Affairs from 2005-06 to 2011-12 are now covered under other schemes of Ministry of Tribal Affairs particularly Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS) and grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India.

Receipt of proposals on various activities from the State Government is a continuous process. The fund sanctioned/released to support activities under Forest Rights Act, 2006 to Government of Chhattisgarh during the last three years and current year is detailed below:-

(Rs. in lakh)

|   Sl. No. | Year    | Project name                                                                                                                                                                                           | Amount approved   |
|-----------|---------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
|         1 | 2014-15 | Empowerment of District/ block and forest village committees through training and workshop and publicity of Act for awareness about Community Forest Rights (under Article 275(1) of the Constitution) | 20.00             |
|         2 | 2015-16 | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                                    | Nil               |
|         3 | 2016-17 | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                                    | Nil               |
|         4 | 2017-18 | Digitization of records of forest rights distributed under Forest Rights Act, 2006 including geo referencing of distributed land (under SCA to TSS)                                                    | 319.00            |