Lok Sabha Question No. 3153 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-31
Subject: Living Condition of STs in North Eastern States
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: NINONG ERING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3153

TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.12.2018

## LIVING CONDITION OF STs IN NORTH EASTERN STATES

## 3153. SHRI NINONG ERING

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has undertaken/proposes to undertake any study to assess the living conditions of the Scheduled Tribes in the North-Eastern States of the country;
- (b) if  so,  the details and the findings thereof along with the follow up action taken by the Government thereon; and
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to further improve the living conditions of Scheduled tribes in the NE States?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No, Sir.  However,  living  condition  of  Scheduled  Tribes  (STs)  across  the  country  including  North Eastern States is accessed through decennial Census conducted by Office of Registrar General, India, large scale  sample  surveys  conducted  by  National  Sample  Survey  Office  (NSSO),  Ministry  of  Statistics  & Programme Implementation, various surveys conducted by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Agricultural Census conducted by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, etc.
- (b) There is considerable improvement in the living conditions of the Scheduled Tribes across the country including North Eastern States for example 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, Infant Mortality Rate has declined from 57.0 (2005-06) to 44.4 (2015-16) and Institutional Delivery improved from 17.7% (2005-06) to 68.0% (2015-16).  However, there are still gaps as compared to figures of total population.
- (c) Government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy for overall development of tribal people including across the country, including North Eastern States which includes support for education, health, sanitation, water supply, skill development, livelihood, etc. Major part of infrastructure development and provision of basic amenities in tribal areas / regions in the country is carried out through various schemes / programmes of concerned Central Ministries and State Governments concerned, while the Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides additive to these initiatives by way of plugging critical gaps.

Details  of  various  schemes/  programmes  being  implemented  by  the  Government  for  the  socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) including North Eastern States are given at Annexure.

*****

## Annexure referred to in reply to part (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3153 for 31.12.2018 regarding 'Living Condition of STs in North Eastern States'

## 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 of India: 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, preagricultural 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-cum-Development) / 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 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.

## (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 socioeconomic 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 BandhuKalyanYojana

## (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-inAid 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.

*****