Lok Sabha Question No. 1879 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-30
Subject: Health and Education System in Tribal Areas
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: HARIOM SINGH RATHORE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1879 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2018

## HEALTH AND EDUCATION SYSTEM IN TRIBAL AREAS

## 1879 SHRI HARIOM SINGH RATHORE:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  made  meticulous  efforts  for  strengthening  of  the  health  and education system in the tribal areas; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  motivate  the  State/UT Governments for the holistic development of tribal affairs?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Yes, Madam.

(b) Under the scheme of 'Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme', Government of India provides 100% grant to State Governments/UT Administrations with the objective of bridging the gap between Scheduled Tribe (ST) population and others in various fields including health and education.  Similarly,  under  Article  275(1)  of  the  Constitution,  funds  are  released  to  State Governments  for  various  sectors  including  education  and  health.  Eklavya  Model  Residential School (EMRS), with the objective of providing quality middle and high school level education to ST students in remote areas, is one of the significant components under this scheme.  Funds are also  released  to  State  Governments  for  enhancing  the  education  system  and  infrastructure  by providing hostels, coaching, etc.

As per the guidelines of the above schemes, 10 - 15% of the total fund allocation has to be for activities related to Health sector like addition to/strengthening of building infrastructure of Community Health Center (CHC)/Primary Health Center (PHC), Mobile dispensary in remote locations, conduct of screening for acute health problems like Sickle Cell Anemia among tribal students  and  provision  of  health  cards,  focus  on  eradication  of  endemic  health  problems  like Malaria, Leprosy, TB, etc.

The scheme guidelines also provide that 40-50% of the total fund allocation has to be for activities related to education sector like addition to existing building infrastructure, construction of co-educational residential schools, construction of Girls and Boys Hostels, Vocational Training Centers in residential schools, IT based education facilities/equipment, etc.

Under the above two schemes, during the year 2018-19 (upto 26.07.2018), Rs.1348.55 crores have been approved for educational activities while Rs.218.88 crores have been approved for health activities.

The scheme of 'Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)' also provides for similar activities to 75 identified PVTGs among Scheduled Tribes in 18 States/UT of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Under  various  scholarship/fellowship  schemes  specifically  being  implemented  for  ST students, the Government provides Scholarships including living expenses to ST students studying in classes IX and above. This includes ST students studying in identified Top Class Institutes like Indian Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Management, reputed Medical Colleges, etc. Scholarships are also provided for up to 20 Scheduled Tribe students every year to pursue higher studies from recognized institutes/universities abroad. During the year 2017-18, nearly Rs.1,787.45 crores was released under these scholarship/fellowship schemes.

Under its scheme of 'Strengthening Education among ST Girls in low literacy districts', the aim is to bridge the gap in literacy levels between the general female population and ST female population by facilitating 100% enrollment of tribal girls in the identified districts or blocks, more particularly in naxal affected areas and in areas of Primitive Tribal Groups and reducing drop-outs at the elementary level by creating the required ambience for education.

*****