Lok Sabha Question No. 1337 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-10
Subject: Economic Upliftment of Tribals
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Rajendra Dhedya  Gavit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1337

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2020

## ECONOMIC UPLIFTMENT OF TRIBALS

## †1337.  SHRI RAJENDRA DHEDYA GAVIT:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  implementing  any  schemes  for  development  and  economic upliftment of tribals in the current fiscal year;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any scheme relating to development of tribals have been implemented in the country including Maharashtra during the last three years;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government runs awareness programmes in tribal areas of Maharashtra regarding schemes related to employment, education and health; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SMT. RENUKA SINGH SARUTA)

- (a)  to  (f)  :  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  was  set  up  with  the  objective  to  have  more  focused approach on the integrated socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs), the most underprivileged of the Indian Society, in coordinated and planned manner. This Ministry is the nodal Ministry for overall policy, planning and coordination of programmes for development of STs.  Government has adopted a holistic approach for overall development of tribal people living across  the  country  including  Maharashtra,  which  includes  support  for  education,  health, employment,  sanitation, water supply, skill development, livelihood etc. Major  part of infrastructure development and provision of basic amenities as well as generation of awareness thereof in tribal areas/regions in the country is carried out through various schemes/programmes of  concerned  Central  Ministries  and  the  State  Governments  concerned,  while  the  Ministry  of Tribal  Affairs  provides  additive  to  these  initiatives  by  way  of  plugging  critical  gaps.  The schemes of the Ministry are largely,  demand  driven  and  funds  under  the  scheme  are  released based upon the proposals made by the State Governments/UTs after examination and approval by  the  Project  Appraisal  Committee  (PAC).  The  brief  details  of  schemes/  programmes  being implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in the country including Maharashtra is given at Annexure-I.

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## Annexure  referred  in  reply  to  part  (a)  to  (f)  of  Lok  Sabha  Unstarred  Question  No.  .†1337  for 10.02.2020 by SHRI RAJENDRA DHEDYA GAVIT regarding 'ECONOMIC UPLIFTMENT OF TRIBALS'.

## Brief details of Schemes/Programmes being implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in the country including Maharashtra.

- (i) Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution: It is a 100% grant from Government of India. Funding under this  programme  is  to  enable  the  State  to  meet  the  cost  of  such  schemes  of  development  as  may  be undertaken by the State for the purpose of promoting the welfare of Scheduled Tribes in that State or raising the level of administration of Scheduled Areas therein to that of the administration of the rest of the areas of that State. Government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy for overall development of tribal people across the  country,  which  includes  various  sectors  viz.  (i)  Education  (ii)  Health  (iii)  Agriculture,  Horticulture, Animal Husbandry (AH), Fisheries, Dairy & others in Primary Sector (iv) Other income generating schemes to augment Tribal household economy and (v) Administrative structure / Institutional framework & Research studies.

## (ii) Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS):

The scheme of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) was introduced in the year 1997-98 to impart quality education exclusively to ST children with an objective to provide quality middle and highlevel  education  to  Scheduled  Tribe  (ST)  students  in  remote  areas  in  order  to  enable  them  to  avail  of reservation  in  high  and  professional  educational  courses  and  get  jobs  in  government  and  public  and private  sectors.Realizing  the  importance  of  the  EMRS,  in  the  Union  Budget  of  2018-19,  Government announced that 'The Government is committed to provide the best quality education to the tribal children in their own environment. To realize this mission, it has been decided that by the year 2022, every block with  more  than  50%  ST  population  and  at  least  20,000  tribal  persons,  will  have  an  Eklavya  Model Residential  School.  Eklavya  schools  will  be  on  par  with  Navodaya  Vidyalayas  and  will  have  special facilities for preserving local art and culture besides providing training in sports and skill development."

It  was  a  component  of  Grants  under  Article  275(1).  During  2018-19,  a  separate  scheme  was introduced.  In  terms  of  the  aforesaid  Budget  announcement,  Cabinet  Committee  on  Economic  Affairs (CCEA), in its meeting held on 17.12.18, inter-alia approved the revamping of the EMRS Scheme. As on 30.10.19, there are 438 sanctioned schools across the country out of which 284 schools have been made functional.

- (iii)  Grant-in-Aid  to  Voluntary  Organizations  working  for  the  welfare  of  Scheduled  Tribes: 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 sectors such as education and health, through the efforts of voluntary organizations, and to provide an environment for socioeconomic upliftment and overall development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs).
- (iv) Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts : Scheme is exclusively for ST girls in 54 districts identified in the country, 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 is being implemented through Voluntary  Organisations  /Non-Governmental  Organisations  and  aims  at  enhancing  the  literacy  rate  of tribal girls, bridging the gap in literacy levels between the general female population and tribal women and reducing drop-outs at the elementary level by creating the required ambiance for education.
- (v) Pre-Matric Scholarships to ST students: Applicable to students who are studying in Classes IX - X. Priority  is  given  for  girls.  Parental  income  from  all  sources  should  be  less  than  Rs.2.50  lakhs  per annum. Scholarship of Rs.225/- per month for day scholars and Rs.525/- per month for hostellers is given for a period of 10 months in a year, Scholarships are paid @ Rs.225/- per month for Day Scholars and @ Rs.525/- per month for Hostellers, for a period of 10 months in a year. Scholarship is disbursed through the State Government/UT Administration. Funds shared at the ratio of 75:25 between the Centre and State Governments/UT Administrations and 90:10 for NE and Specially Category States/UTs (UT of Jammu & Kashmir,  Himachal  Pradesh  and  Uttarakhand)  from  2014-15  onwards  and  for  UT  without  legislature 100% Share is released by Centre.
- (vi)  Post  Matric  Scholarship  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 for girls. Parental income from all sources should be less than Rs.2.50 lakhs per annum. Compulsory  fees  charged  by  educational  institutes  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.  Funds  shared  at  the  ratio  of  75:25  between  the  Centre  and  State  Governments/UT Administrations   and  90:10  for  NE  and  Specially  Category  States/UTs  (UT  of  Jammu  &  Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand) from 2014-15 onwards and for UT without legislature 100% Share is released by Centre.
- (vii) National Overseas Scholarships for ST Candidates for Studying Abroad: The Scheme provides for  financial  assistance  to  selected  students  to  pursue  Post  Graduation,  PhD  &  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 (PVTGs). Parental/family income from all sources should not exceed Rs.6.00 lakhs per annum. Disbursement of scholarships through the Ministry of External Affairs/ Indian Missions abroad.

## (viii) National Fellowship & Scholarship for Higher Education  of ST students:

- (a)  Scholarship  for  Higher  Education  (earlier  known  as  Top  Class  Education  For  St  Students): S cholarship  is  given  to  ST  students  for  pursuing  studies  in  prescribed  courses  in  any  of  the  246 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.
- (b) 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 UGC norms. (Presently, @ Rs.25,000/- for JRF and @Rs.28,000/- for SRF).
- (ix) Special  Central  Assistance  to  Tribal  Sub-Scheme  (SCA  to  TSS) :  It  is  100%  grant  from Government of India.  Its objective is to bridge the gap between Scheduled Tribes (ST) population and others  by  providing  support  education,  health,  sanitation,  water  supply,  livelihood,  skill  development, minor infrastructure etc.
- (x) Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs): The scheme of Development of PVTGs covers 75 identified PVTGs among Scheduled Tribes in 18 States and UT of Andaman & Nicobar Islands  for  the  activities  like  education,  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 or any other innovative activity meant for the comprehensive socio-economic development of PVTGs. The activities related to educational development of tribals is also funded under the scheme.

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

This Central Sector scheme which is continuing since 1992-93, is being implemented through the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd. (TRIFED), a multi-State cooperative Society under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the State Tribal Development Cooperative Corporations (STDCCS). The objective of  this  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,  MFP  gatherers  etc.;  (iii)  R&D/IPR  activity;  and  (iv)  Supply  chain  infrastructure development.

(xii) 'Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) & Development of Value Chain for MFP': Minimum Support Price for Minor Forest Produce scheme (MSP for MFP Scheme), started by Ministry of Tribal Affairs in the year 2013-14, was the first step in the direction of providing fair price to tribals. Initially, the scheme included 10 MFPs in 9 States having  Schedule  V  areas.  It  was  later  expanded  to  49  MFP  items  and  is  applicable  in  all  States.  The Scheme is implemented through State level agency (SLA) appointed by the State Government. Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides a revolving fund to the SLA as also funds to develop infrastructure for safe storage, primary processing and value addition of MFP items in the ratio of 75% Central share: 25% State share.

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.

Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram is an initiative targeting livelihood generation for tribal population by harnessing the wealth of forest i.e. Van Dhan at value addition and marketing centers namely 'Van Dhan Vikas Kendras. The programme aims to tap into the traditional knowledge and skill sets of tribal people by adding technology and Information Technology for upgradation of output at each stage and to convert the tribal wisdom into a remunerative economic activity.

(xiii) Support  to National/State Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development  Corporations (NSTFDC/STFDCS): This is a centrally sponsored Scheme wherein funds are released by the Ministry to the NSTFDC, a CPSE under this Ministry and the State Tribal Finance & Development Corporation (STFDCs) by way of equity support against their respective authorized share capitals.

The  main  objectives  of  the  scheme  are,  to  identify  economic  activities  of  importance  to  the Scheduled Tribes so as to generate self-employment 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; and to monitor implementation of NSFDC assisted schemes in order to assess their impact.

(xiv) Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) and Tribal Festivals, Research Information and Mass  Education: The  focus  under  these  schemes  of  the  Ministry  is  to  promote  tribal  art  and  culture. Ministry  has  se  t  up  Tribal  Research  Institutes  (TRIs)  in  the  States.    TRIs  are  maintained  by  the  State Government.  Further, the APEX Committee recommended for the TRI activities of the State Government. TRIs  carry  out  various  activities  viz.  research  studies,  evaluation  studies,  organization  or  training/ seminar/workshop, organisation of tribal festivals, baseline survey, publication, documentaries / documentation, organisation of exchange of visits etc. over the years.