Lok Sabha Question No. 180 (STARRED), answered on 2018-07-30
Subject: Per Capita Income of Tribals
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Pratyusha Rajeshwari Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *180

TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2018

## PER CAPITA INCOME OF TRIBALS

*180   SHRIMATI PRATYUSHA RAJESHWARI SINGH: Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)      whether the Government has carried out any study with regard to per capita income of tribals in various States including Odisha;
- (b)      if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)      whether per capita income of tribals is less than that of general and other castes; and
- (d)     if so, the steps taken by the Government to increase the average income of tribals along with the extent to which the Government has achieved success as a result thereof?

## ANSWER

THE 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. *180 for answer on 30.07.2018 asked by SHRIMATI PRATYUSHA RAJESHWARI SINGH, MP, regarding 'Per Capita income of Tribals' (a): No, Madam. (b) &  (c):  The  National  Sample  Survey  Office (NSSO),  Ministry  of  Statistics  &  Programme Implementation has informed that per capita income of tribals in the country is not available based on NSSO surveys.   NSSO collects data on household consumer expenditure and not  on income in their household surveys. (d) : This  Ministry  administers  two  major  programmes,  namely,  Grants  under  Article  275(1)  of  the Constitution  and  Special  Central  Assistance  to  Tribal  Sub-Scheme  (SCA  to  TSS),  wherein  funds  are released to the State Governments for income generation among tribal people through skill development and  various  training  programmes.  Also,  the  National  Scheduled  Tribes  Finance  and  Development Corporation  (NSTFDC)  under  the  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs,  promotes  entrepreneurial  development amongst Scheduled Tribes. This Corporation provides concessional financial assistance to individuals or groups  of  STs  for  undertaking  self-employment  income  generation  activities  through  its  channelizing agencies. Further, the programmes and schemes of the Ministry support and supplement, through financial assistance, the efforts of other Central Ministries, the State Governments, and voluntary organizations, and fill critical gaps taking into account the needs of STs. Details of schemes/programmes of Ministry of Tribal Affairs are given at Annexure. As per the estimates of poverty ratio of the erstwhile Planning Commission, the percentage of STs living 12.  In the urban areas, the percentage of STs living below the poverty line has come down from 35.5%

below the poverty line has come down from 62.3% in rural areas during 2004-05 to 45.3% during 2011during 2004-05 to 24.1% during 2011-12.

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## Annexure referred to in reply to part (d) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.180 for answer on 30.07.2018

## Details of schemes/programmes of Ministry of Tribal Affairs

## 1. Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS)

Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS) is 100% grant from Government of India (since 1977-78). 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.

## 2. Grants-in-aid under Article 275(1) of the Constitution

Grants-in-aid under Proviso to Article 275(1) of Constitution of India is 100% annual grant from Government of India to States. It is charged to Consolidated Fund of India (except grants for NE States, a voted item) and is an additive to State Plan funds and efforts for Tribal Development. Grant is provided to 27  States,  namely,  Andhra  Pradesh,  Arunachal  Pradesh,  Assam,  Bihar,  Chhattisgarh,  Goa,  Gujarat, Himachal  Pradesh,  Jammu  &  Kashmir,  Jharkhand,  Karnataka,  Kerala,  Madhya  Pradesh,  Manipur, Maharashtra,  Meghalaya,  Mizoram,  Nagaland,  Odisha,  Rajasthan,  Sikkim,  Tamil  Nadu,  Telangana, Tripura,  Uttar  Pradesh,  Uttarakhand  and  West  Bengal.  Funds  are  utilised  for  the  socio  economic development of ITDA, MADA, Clusters and for PVTGs.

## 3.  Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

The  scheme  of  Development  of  PVTGs  covers  75  identified  PVTGs  in  18  States  and  UT  of Andaman & Nicobar Islands for the activities like housing, land distribution, land development, agricultural development, animal husbandry, construction of link roads, installation of non-conventional sources of energy  for  lighting  purpose,  social  security  including  Janashree  Bima  Yojana  or  any  other  innovative activity meant for the comprehensive socio-economic development of PVTGs. The scheme is flexible as it enables  the  States  to  focus  on  areas  that  they  consider  is  relevant  to  PVTGs  and  their  socio-cultural environment.

## 4.  Institutional Support for Development & Marketing of Tribal Products / Produce (Central Sector Scheme)

Under the scheme, Grants-in-aid are released to State Tribal Development Cooperative Corporations (STDCCs) and Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd. (TRIFED) which is a multi-State Cooperative under Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA).

The scope of this Scheme is : -

(i) To give comprehensive support for people belonging to various tribes in the entire range of production, product development, preservation of traditional heritage, support to both forest and agricultural produce  of  tribal  people,  support  to  Institutions  to  carry  the  above  activities,  provisions  of  better infrastructure, development of designs, dissemination of information about price and the agencies which are buying the products, support to Government agencies for sustainable marketing and thereby ensure a reasonable price regime.

- (ii)  Sharing of information with Gram Panchayats and Gram Sabhas
- (iii)  Skill upgradation, development of utilitarian products for increase in value in market.

The objective of the Scheme is to create institutions for the Scheduled Tribes to support marketing and development of activities they depend on for their livelihood.  These are sought to be achieved by specific  measures  like  (i)  market  intervention;  (ii)  training  and  skill  up-gradation  of  tribal  Artisans, Craftsmen,  Minor  Forest  Produce  (MFP)  gatherers  etc.;  (iii)  R&D/IPR  activity;  and  (iv)  Supply  chain infrastructure development.

## 5.  'Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP' as a measure of social safety for MFP gatherers (Centrally Sponsored Scheme)

This Ministry has introduced from the year 2013-14, a centrally sponsored scheme of 'Mechanism for marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP' as a measure of social safety for MFP gatherers who are primarily member of Scheduled Tribesand other traditional forest dwellers whose very livelihood depends on collection and selling of MFP.

- ii) The scheme seeks to establish a system to ensure fair monetary returns for their efforts in collection, primary processing, storage, packaging, transportation etc. It also seeks to get them a share of revenue from the sales proceeds with cost deducted. It also aims to address other issues for sustainability of process.
- iii)    The scheme envisages fixation and declaration of Minimum Support Price for the selected MFP. Procurement & Marketing operation at pre fixed MSP will be undertaken by the designated State Agencies. Simultaneously, other medium &long term issues like sustainable collection, value addition, infrastructure development,  knowledge  base  expansion  of  MFP,  market  intelligence  development,  strengthening  the bargaining power of Gram Sabha/ Panchayat will also be addressed.
- iv) To start with, the scheme had been implemented in States having areas under Schedule V of the Constitution and covered ten MFP items. Recently, however, the guidelines of the scheme 'Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP' has been modified after discussion with various stakeholders and TRIFED, and MSP of the existing MFP items has been revised as also fourteen more MFP items have been added to the list.

## 6.  Support to National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC)/State Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporations (STFDCs)

NSTFDC a fully owned Public Sector Enterprise of Government of India, is provided with 100% equity share capital contribution by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.  The authorized share capital of the Corporation is Rs. 750.00 crore.  The paid up Share capital is Rs 599.11 crore (as on 31.12.2017).  The main objectives of NSTFDC are:-

- To  identify  economic  activities  of  importance  to  the  Scheduled  Tribes  so  as  to  generate  selfemployment and raise their income level.
- To upgrade their skills and processes through both institutional and on the job training.
- To make existing State/ UT Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporations (SCAs) and other developmental agencies engaged in economic development of the Scheduled Tribes more effective.
- To  assist  SCAs  in  project  formulation,  implementation  of  NSTFDC  assisted  schemes  and  in imparting training to their personnel.
- To monitor implementation of NSTFDC assisted schemes in order to assess their impact.

The STFDCs are catering to STs in various States and are provided assistance in the form of contribution towards share capital by this Ministry.  The ratio of its contribution is in the share of 51:49 between State Government and Central Government.  The main objectives of the scheme are:-

- Identification  of  eligible  ST  families  and  motivating  them  to  undertake  economic  development schemes.
- Sponsoring those schemes to financial institutions for credit support.
- Providing financial assistance in form of margin money on low rate of interest; and
- Providing necessary linkage/ tie-up with other poverty alleviation programmes.

## 7. PRE-MATRIC SCHOLARSHIPS TO ST STUDENTS (Class IX and X)

- Applicable to students who are studying in Classes IX-X.
- Parental income from all sources should be less than Rs.2.00 lakhs per annum, which is proposed to be revised to Rs.2.50 lakhs per annum.
- Scholarships  are  paid  @  Rs.150/-  per  month  for  Day  Scholars  and  @Rs.350/-  per  month  for Hostellers, for a period of 10 months in a year. This is proposed to be revised from existing Rs.150/to Rs.225/- p.m. for Day Scholars, and from Rs.350/- to Rs.525/- p.m. for Hostellers.
- Central assistance in the share of 75:25 (90:10 for NER and Hilly States) to State Governments/UT Administrations is available from the Government of India.
- Scholarship is distributed through the State Government/UT Administration.

## 8. POST MATRIC SCHOLARSHIPS TO ST Students (Class XI and above)

- Applicable to students who are studying in any recognized course from a recognized institution for which qualification is Matriculation/Class X or above.
- 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.
- Central assistance in the share of 75:25 (90:10 for NER  and  Hilly States) to State Governments/UT Administrations is available from the Government of India.
- Scholarship is distributed through the State Government/UT Administration.

## 9. NATIONAL OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIPS (NOS) for ST students for studying abroad

- 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 should not exceed Rs.6.00 lakhs per annum.
- Annual maintenance allowance of £9900/-, annual contingency & Eqpt. allowance of £1116/-, tuition  fees  as  per  actuals  and  other  admissible  fees  are  provided  for  candidates  in  United Kingdom.
- For  candidates  in  USA,  annual  maintenance  allowance  of  $15400/-,  annual  contingency  & equipment allowance of $1532/-, tuition fees as per actuals and other admissible fees are provided. For candidates in other countries, US dollar or equivalent rate would be applicable.
- Disbursement of scholarships through the Ministry of External Affairs/ Indian Missions abroad.

## 10. 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 246 institutes of excellence across the country like IITs, AIIMS, IIMs, NIITs, etc. identified by the Ministry.
- Total number of scholarships is 1000 per year.
- Family income from all sources does 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 RGNF) SCHEME FOR ST STUDENTS).

- 750 fellowships are provided to ST students each year for pursuing higher studies in India for MPhil and PhD.
- Fellowship is granted as per UGC norms, @Rs.25,000/- for JRF and @Rs.28,000/- for SRF.
- Duration of Fellowship:

| a.   | Enrolment of M.Phil.                          | 2 years                             |
|------|-----------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| b.   | Ph.D (exclusively)                            | 5 years                             |
| c.   | Enrolment of Ph.D after completion of M.Phil. | 2 years (M.Phil) and 3 years (Ph.D) |

## 11. 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 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  up  gradation  up  to  class  Xll,  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.

## 12. 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 favorable 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.

## 13. 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. lt 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 semi urban/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

## 14. Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) and Tribal Festivals, Research Information and Mass Education

In  the  above  schemes,  the  focus  of  the  Ministry  is  to  preserve  and  promote  tribal  culture  and dissemination of information. To preserve tribal art and culture, financial assistance is provided to TRI's to carry out various activities to preserve and promote tribal culture and heritage across the country through research and documentation, maintenance and preservation of art & artefacts, setting up of tribal museum, exchange visits for the tribals to other parts of the State, organizing tribal festivals etc. Funding under this Scheme is 100% grant-in-aid by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to the TRIs on need basis with the approval of APEX Committee. TRIs would be responsible to prepare proposal and detailed action plan for the year along with budgetary requirement and submit it to the Ministry through State Tribal Welfare Department.

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