Lok Sabha Question No. 224 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-12
Subject: Literacy Rate of Tribal Women
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: POONAM  MAHAJAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *224

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2018

## LITERACY RATE OF TRIBAL WOMEN

*224 SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of lower literacy rates of females belonging to Scheduled Tribe  (ST)  community  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  areas  identified  by  the Government where female literacy rate is less than 35 per cent, State/ UT and district-wise;
- (b) the action taken by the Government to improve the enrolment of girls belonging to ST community in primary schools in the areas where literacy rate is less than 35 per cent;
- (c)  whether  the  Government is  planning to  enrol  illiterate  tribal  women  in  adult  education programmes and if so, the details thereof along with the action plan adopted for the same; and
- (d) the amount of funds spent by the Government towards educating women and girls from tribal communities during each of the last five years, year and State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JUAL ORAM)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## Statement  referred  to  in  reply  to  Lok  Sabha  Starred  Question  No.  *224  for  answer  on 12.03.2018 asked by SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN, MP, regarding 'Literacy Rate of Tribal Women'

(a)  &  (b):    Based  on  Census  figures,  all  India  Scheduled  Tribe  (ST)  female  literacy  rate  has increased from 34.8% in 2001 to 49.4% in 2011. ST female literacy rate is lower by about 15 percentage points as compared to overall female literacy rate (64.6%) in 2011. However, this gap has narrowed from 21 percentage points in 1991 and 19 percentage points in 2001 to 15 percentage points in 2011.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been implementing the scheme, 'Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts'. This scheme covers 54 districts identified by Ministry of Tribal Affairs where the ST population is 25% or more and ST female literacy rate is below 35%, or its fractions, as per 2001 Census. The scheme may also cover any other tribal block in a district, other  than  aforesaid  54  identified  districts,  as  and  when  reported  by  the  concerned  State Government. It aims to bridge the gap in literacy levels between the general female population and tribal women, through facilitating 100% enrolment of tribal girls in the identified districts or blocks, more particularly in naxal affected areas and in areas inhabited by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), and reducing drop-outs at the elementary level by creating the required ambience for education. List of identified districts and blocks is at Annexures-1 (a) and 1 (b), respectively.

The  Ministry  also  releases  Grants  under  Article  275(1)  of  the  Constitution  and  Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Scheme (SCA to TSS) to the State Governments for establishment of  schools  /  hostels  and  development  of  educational  infrastructure.  With  a  view  to  maximize retention of ST students within various stages of school education and promoting higher learning, the Ministry provides financial assistance in the form of scholarships to ST students.

Ministry of Human Resource Development is implementing Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), a  Government of India flagship programme for achievement of Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE) in a time bound manner, making free and compulsory education to children of 614 years age group, including ST children. It also implements the Mid-Day Meal Scheme with a view to enhance enrolment and retention of children in schools. SSA strategies for promotion of girls' education include inter-alia, opening of schools in the neighbourhood to make access easier for  girls,  appointment  of  additional  teachers  including  women  teachers,  free  textbooks,  free uniforms, separate toilets for girls, teachers' sensitization programmes  to promote girls participation, gender sensitive teaching-learning materials including textbooks.

(c): With  a  view  to  improve  literacy  rate,  Ministry  of  Human  Resource  Development implements 'Saakshar Bharat' with the prime focus on adult non-literate women of rural areas. The principal target of Saakshar Bharat Mission is to impart functional literacy to 70 million adults in the age group of 15 years and beyond with prime focus on women besides SCs (14 million), STs (8 million), Minorities (12 million) & other disadvantaged groups in rural areas of the districts having low female literacy rate (50% or below as per 2001 Census). As on 7.3.2018, 10.3 million adult non literates belonging to Scheduled Tribe community have been certified as literates under 'Basis Literacy Assessment Test'.

(d): Details of funds released under the scheme, namely, 'Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts' and 'Grants under Article 275 (1) of the Constitution of India for setting up Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs)', year wise and State / UT wise are given at Annexures -2 (a) and 2 (b), respectively.

## Annexures-1 (a) and 1 (b) referred to in reply to part (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *224 for 12.03.2018 regarding 'Literacy Rate of Tribal Women'

Annexure 1 (a)

Districts identified for the Scheme, 'Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts'

| S. No.   | Name of State / Union Territory   | Name of Districts      |
|----------|-----------------------------------|------------------------|
| 1        | Andhra Pradesh (now in Telangana) | Khammam                |
| 2        | Jammu and Kashmir                 | Rajouri                |
| 3        |                                   | Punch                  |
| 4        | Rajasthan                         | Dungarpur              |
| 5        |                                   | Banswara               |
| 6        |                                   | Udaipur                |
| 7        | Arunachal Pradesh                 | Tawang                 |
| 8        |                                   | East Kameng            |
| 9        |                                   | Lower Subansiri        |
| 10       |                                   | Tirap                  |
| 11       | Nagaland                          | Mon                    |
| 12       | Tripura                           | Dhalai                 |
| 13       | Jharkhand                         | Sahibganj              |
| 14       |                                   | Pakaur                 |
| 15       |                                   | Dumka                  |
| 16       |                                   | Paschimi Singhbhum     |
| 17       |                                   | Purbi singhbhum        |
| 18       |                                   | Lohardaga              |
| 19       | Odisha                            | Gajapati               |
| 20       |                                   | Kandhamal              |
| 21 22    |                                   | Nuapada Kalahandi      |
| 23       |                                   | Rayagada               |
| 24       |                                   | Nabarangapur           |
| 25       |                                   | Koraput                |
| 26       |                                   | Malkangiri             |
| 27       |                                   | Debgarh                |
| 28       |                                   | Keonjar                |
| 29       |                                   |                        |
| 30       |                                   | Mayurbhanj Balangir    |
| 31       | Chhattisgarh                      | Surguja                |
| 32       |                                   | Bastar                 |
| 33       |                                   | Korba                  |
| 34       |                                   | Dantewada              |
| 35       |                                   | Bilaspur               |
| 36       | Madhya Pradesh                    | Umaria                 |
| 37       |                                   | Shehdol                |
| 38       |                                   | Sidhi                  |
| 39       |                                   | Ratlam                 |
| 40       |                                   | Jhabua                 |
| 41       |                                   | Dhar                   |
| 42       |                                   | West Nimar             |
| 43       |                                   | Barwani                |
| 44       |                                   | East Nimar             |
| 45       |                                   | Betul                  |
| 46       |                                   | Harda                  |
| 47       |                                   | Dindori                |
| 48       |                                   | Mandla                 |
| 49       | Gujarat                           | Dohad                  |
| 50       |                                   | Panchmahals            |
| 51       |                                   | Vadodara               |
| 52       | Dadra and Nagar Haveli            | Dadra and Nagar Haveli |
| 53       | Maharashtra                       | Nandurbar              |
| 54       |                                   | Dhule                  |

## TRIBAL BLOCKS OTHER THAN 54 IDENTIFIED DISTRICTS WHICH FULFILL THE CRITERIA INTIMATED BY WEST BENGAL AND KARNATAKA

|   S. No. | State       | District           | Tribal Block                                       |
|----------|-------------|--------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Karnataka   | Raichur            | Devadurga                                          |
|        1 | Karnataka   | Chitradurga        | Molakalmur                                         |
|        1 | Karnataka   | Bellary            | Sandur Kudligi                                     |
|        2 | West Bengal | Darjiling          | Phansidewa                                         |
|        2 | West Bengal | Jalpaiguri         | Mal Matiali Nagrakata Madarihat Kalchini Kumargram |
|        2 | West Bengal | Maldah             | Habibpur                                           |
|        2 | West Bengal | North 24- Parganas | Sandeshkhali-I                                     |
|        2 | West Bengal | Bankura            | Hirbandh                                           |
|        2 | West Bengal | Puruliya           | Santuri Hura Balarampur Manbazar-II Bundwan        |
|        2 | West Bengal | West Medinipur     | Gopiballavpur-I Nayagram Kharagpur-II              |

Annexure 2 (a)

05.03.2018)

| Details of Funds released under the Scheme, Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts   | Details of Funds released under the Scheme, Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts   | Details of Funds released under the Scheme, Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts   | Details of Funds released under the Scheme, Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts   | Details of Funds released under the Scheme, Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts   | Details of Funds released under the Scheme, Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts   | Details of Funds released under the Scheme, Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts   | Details of Funds released under the Scheme, Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts   |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| S. No.                                                                                                         | State                                                                                                          | 2012-13                                                                                                        | 2013-14                                                                                                        | 2014-15                                                                                                        | 2015-16                                                                                                        | 2016-17                                                                                                        | 2017-18 (as on 05.03.2018)                                                                                     |
| 1                                                                                                              | Andhra Pradesh                                                                                                 | -                                                                                                              | -                                                                                                              | 5207920                                                                                                        | 193107731                                                                                                      | 27094085                                                                                                       | 0                                                                                                              |
| 2                                                                                                              | Arunachal Pradesh                                                                                              | -                                                                                                              | 1295053                                                                                                        | 4271709                                                                                                        | -                                                                                                              | -                                                                                                              | 3764528                                                                                                        |
| 3                                                                                                              | Chhattisgarh                                                                                                   | 3723818                                                                                                        | 4407038                                                                                                        | 3925448                                                                                                        | -                                                                                                              | 3963499                                                                                                        | 3711971                                                                                                        |
| 4                                                                                                              | Gujarat                                                                                                        | -                                                                                                              | 145999463                                                                                                      | 194219225                                                                                                      | 171232411                                                                                                      | 285792943                                                                                                      | 149171119                                                                                                      |
| 5                                                                                                              | Jharkhand                                                                                                      | 1846586                                                                                                        | -                                                                                                              | 4442520                                                                                                        | 2107200                                                                                                        | -                                                                                                              | -                                                                                                              |
| 6                                                                                                              | Madhya Pradesh                                                                                                 | -                                                                                                              | 68593579                                                                                                       | 57103228                                                                                                       | 14357845                                                                                                       | 42004939                                                                                                       | 25249922                                                                                                       |
| 7                                                                                                              | Maharashtra                                                                                                    | 5948849                                                                                                        | 9473800                                                                                                        | 3600400                                                                                                        | -                                                                                                              | 15838410                                                                                                       | 7455800                                                                                                        |
| 8                                                                                                              | Odisha                                                                                                         | 62330103                                                                                                       | 162255734                                                                                                      | 26507661                                                                                                       | 104081259                                                                                                      | 192941396                                                                                                      | 76370046                                                                                                       |
| 9                                                                                                              | Rajasthan                                                                                                      | 300000                                                                                                         | 10976580                                                                                                       | 9665119                                                                                                        | -                                                                                                              | 14877810                                                                                                       | 2513350                                                                                                        |
| 10                                                                                                             | Telangana                                                                                                      | -                                                                                                              | -                                                                                                              | 41056770                                                                                                       | 48075810                                                                                                       | 71975792                                                                                                       | 32190954                                                                                                       |
| Total                                                                                                          | Total                                                                                                          | 74149356                                                                                                       | 403001247                                                                                                      | 350000000                                                                                                      | 532962256                                                                                                      | 654488874                                                                                                      | 300427690                                                                                                      |

## Annexure 2 (b)

## Statement Showing Year-wise Release of Funds under the programme 'Grants under Article 275 (1) of the Constitution of India' for setting up EMRSs during 2012-13 to 2016-17 (as on 31.03.2017)

Rs in lakh

| S.N.   | States            | 2012-13   | 2012-13       | 2012-13                | 2013-14   | 2013-14       | 2013-14                | 2014-15   | 2014-15       | 2014-15                | 2015-16   | 2015-16       | 2015-16                | 2016-17   | 2016-17       | 2016-17                |
|--------|-------------------|-----------|---------------|------------------------|-----------|---------------|------------------------|-----------|---------------|------------------------|-----------|---------------|------------------------|-----------|---------------|------------------------|
| S.N.   | States            | Recurring | Non Recurring | Total Release for EMRS | Recurring | Non Recurring | Total Release for EMRS | Recurring | Non Recurring | Total Release for EMRS | Recurring | Non Recurring | Total Release for EMRS | Recurring | Non Recurring | Total Release for EMRS |
| 1      | 2                 | 6         | 7             | 8                      | 9         | 10            | 11                     | 12        | 13            | 14                     | 15        | 16            | 17                     | 15        | 19            | 20                     |
| 1      | Andhra Pradesh    | 1512.00   | 0.00          | 1512.00                | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 1260.00   | 3500.00       | 4760.00                | 680.00    | 4000.00       | 4680.00                | 680.40    | 0.00          | 680.40                 |
| 2      | Arunachal Pradesh | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 47.40     | 146.00        | 193.40                 | 50.40     | 20.00         | 70.40                  | 120.80    | 1600.00       | 1720.80                | 50.40     | 648.53        | 698.93                 |
| 3      | Assam             | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 0.00      | 1200.00       | 1200.00                | 0.00      | 200.00        | 200.00                 |
| 4      | Bihar             | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 0.00      | 500.00        | 500.00                 | 0.00      | 800.00        | 800.00                 | 0.00      | 1000.00       | 1000.00                |
| 5      | Chhattisgarh      | 1160.00   | 2200.00       | 3360.00                | 1494.11   | 2100.00       | 3594.11                | 4126.24   | 0.00          | 4126.24                | 1725.57   | 0.00          | 1725.57                | 1756.02   | 4675.45       | 6431.47                |
| 6      | Goa               | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 0.00      | 400.00        | 400.00                 | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   |
| 7      | Gujarat           | 2100.52   | 0.00          | 2100.52                | 2083.20   | 1100.00       | 3183.20                | 2503.62   | 440.00        | 2943.62                | 3168.90   | 1200.00       | 4368.90                | 3802.26   | 750.00        | 4552.26                |
| 8      | Himachal Pradesh  | 36.33     | 0.00          | 36.33                  | 78.12     | 0.00          | 78.12                  | 95.00     |               | 95.00                  | 88.20     | 0.00          | 88.20                  | 88.20     | 0.00          | 88.20                  |
| 9      | Jammu &Kashmir    | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 0.00      | 300.00        | 300.00                 | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 200.00    | 0.00          | 200.00                 | 0.00      | 1955.19       | 1955.19                |
| 10     | Jharkhand         | 373.90    | 633.62        | 1007.52                | 498.54    | 725.00        | 1223.54                | 504.00    | 3600.00       | 4104.00                | 504.00    | 1675.00       | 2179.00                | 806.40    | 4526.21       | 5332.60                |
| 11     | Karnataka         | 499.00    | 600.00        | 1099.00                | 400.00    | 1000.00       | 1400.00                | 680.40    | 2750.00       | 3430.40                | 1000.00   | 1600.00       | 2600.00                | 999.60    | 0.00          | 999.60                 |
| 12     | Kerala            | 200.00    | 0.00          | 200.00                 | 80.00     | 120.00        | 200.00                 | 388.50    | 0.00          | 388.50                 | 350.00    | 0.00          | 350.00                 | 221.76    | 0.00          | 221.76                 |
| 13     | Madhya Pradesh    | 2507.94   | 2183.20       | 4691.14                | 2562.84   | 2183.20       | 4746.04                | 3290.80   | 2120.00       | 5410.80                | 3008.88   | 5000.00       | 8008.88                | 3370.92   | 2400.00       | 5770.92                |
| 14     | Maharashtra       | 520.00    | 0.00          | 520.00                 | 805.60    | 4400.00       | 5205.60                | 916.96    | 3200.00       | 4116.96                | 1083.60   | 3300.00       | 4383.60                | 1512.00   | 3600.00       | 5112.00                |
| 15     | Manipur           | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 75.00     | 125.00        | 200.00                 | 239.40    | 1380.00       | 1619.40                |
| 16     | Meghalaya         | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 0.00      | 200.00        | 200.00                 |
| 17     | Mizoram           | 0.00      | 475.14        | 475.14                 | 84.00     | 0.00          | 84.00                  | 100.00    | 600.00        | 700.00                 | 345.45    | 2300.00       | 2645.45                | 168.00    | 0.00          | 168.00                 |
| 18     | Nagaland          | 134.00    | 0.00          | 134.00                 | 150.00    | 0.00          | 150.00                 | 200.34    | 0.00          | 200.34                 | 200.34    | 1600.00       | 1800.34                | 183.96    | 400.00        | 583.96                 |
| 19     | Odisha            | 2245.32   | 1800.00       | 4045.32                | 2300.76   | 0.00          | 2300.76                | 2683.29   | 0.00          | 2683.29                | 2142.00   | 4337.00       | 6479.00                | 2242.80   | 2700.00       | 4942.80                |
| 20     | Rajasthan         | 0.00      | 2155.00       | 2155.00                | 1230.60   | 1199.80       | 2430.40                | 1381.80   | 70.00         | 1451.80                | 1381.80   | 300.00        | 1681.80                | 1633.80   | 800.00        | 2433.80                |
| 21     | Sikkim            | 272.78    | 0.00          | 272.78                 | 284.00    | 0.00          | 284.00                 | 320.30    | 50.00         | 370.30                 | 300.00    | 900.00        | 1200.00                | 405.30    | 500.00        | 905.30                 |
| 22     | Tamil Nadu        | 134.00    | 0.00          | 134.00                 | 705.60    | 0.00          | 705.60                 | 264.00    | 0.00          | 264.00                 | 352.80    | 0.00          | 352.80                 | 378.00    | 420.00        | 798.00                 |
| 23     | Telangana         | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 2520.00   | 500.00        | 3020.00                | 1272.00   | 2300.00       | 3572.00                | 1344.00   | 0.00          | 1344.00                |
| 24     | Tripura           | 577.08    | 450.00        | 1027.08                | 682.92    | 0.00          | 682.92                 | 655.20    | 0.00          | 655.20                 | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 730.80    | 435.00        | 1165.80                |
| 25     | Uttar Pradesh     | 138.60    | 0.00          | 138.60                 | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 195.44    | 546.71        | 742.15                 | 208.70    | 455.99        | 664.69                 | 189.00    | 500.00        | 689.00                 |
| 26     | Uttarakhand       | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   | 75.60     | 168.66        | 244.26                 | 126.00    | 116.40        | 242.40                 | 151.20    | 47.67         | 198.87                 | 0.00      | 0.00          | 0.00                   |
| 27     | West Bengal       | 758.52    | 0.00          | 758.52                 | 870.24    | 0.00          | 870.24                 | 1049.16   | 0.00          | 1049.16                | 1049.16   | 0.00          | 1049.16                | 1049.16   | 0.00          | 1049.16                |
|        | Total             | 13169.99  | 10496.96      | 23666.95               | 14433.53  | 13442.66      | 27876.19               | 23311.45  | 18013.11      | 41324.56               | 19408.40  | 33140.66      | 52549.06               | 21852.18  | 27090.38      | 48942.55               |

Note: The amount of funds released towards setting up of EMRSs and running of EMRSs is for both ST girls and boys students