Lok Sabha Question No. 868 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-23
Subject: Database of Tribal Population
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAMDAS CHANDRABHANJI TADAS, NARANBHAI KACHHADIA, CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 868 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2018

## DATABASE OF TRIBAL POPULATION

868.  SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS:

SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any database of total number of tribes and their State-wise percentage in the country,
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor and the details of the Schemes launched by the Government for the welfare of tribes in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) : Yes, Madam. Based on Census, 2011, the total population of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the country is 10.45 Crore.  State/UT wise population of Scheduled Tribes and their percentage in the country are given at Annexure 1.
- (c) Details of schemes launched by Ministry of Tribal Affairs for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes are given at Annexure 2.

## Annexure - I referred to in reply to part (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Un-starred Question No. 868 for Answer on 23.07.2018 regarding 'Database of Tribal Population'

## State/UT wise population of Scheduled Tribes and their percentage

| S. No   | India / State             | ST Population (in lakh)   | %STs in India/ State to total population of India/ State   | %STs in the State to total ST population in India   |
|---------|---------------------------|---------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|
| S. No   | India                     | 1045.46                   | 8.6                                                        | -                                                   |
| 1       | Andhra Pradesh            | 26.31                     | 5.3                                                        | 2.5                                                 |
| 2       | Arunachal Pradesh         | 9.52                      | 68.8                                                       | 0.9                                                 |
| 3       | Assam                     | 38.84                     | 12.4                                                       | 3.7                                                 |
| 4       | Bihar                     | 13.37                     | 1.3                                                        | 1.3                                                 |
| 5       | Chhattisgarh              | 78.23                     | 30.6                                                       | 7.5                                                 |
| 6       | Goa                       | 1.49                      | 10.2                                                       | 0.1                                                 |
| 7       | Gujarat                   | 89.17                     | 14.8                                                       | 8.5                                                 |
| 8       | Haryana                   | NST                       | NA                                                         | NA                                                  |
| 9       | Himachal Pradesh          | 3.92                      | 5.7                                                        | 0.4                                                 |
| 10      | Jammu &Kashmir            | 14.93                     | 11.9                                                       | 1.4                                                 |
| 11      | Jharkhand                 | 86.45                     | 26.2                                                       | 8.3                                                 |
| 12      | Karnataka                 | 42.49                     | 7.0                                                        | 4.1                                                 |
| 13      | Kerala                    | 4.85                      | 1.5                                                        | 0.5                                                 |
| 14      | Madhya Pradesh            | 153.17                    | 21.1                                                       | 14.7                                                |
| 15      | Maharashtra               | 105.1                     | 9.4                                                        | 10.1                                                |
| 16      | Manipur                   | 11.67                     | 40.9                                                       | 1.1                                                 |
| 17      | Meghalaya                 | 25.56                     | 86.1                                                       | 2.4                                                 |
| 18      | Mizoram                   | 10.36                     | 94.4                                                       | 1.0                                                 |
| 19      | Nagaland                  | 17.11                     | 86.5                                                       | 1.6                                                 |
| 20      | Orissa                    | 95.91                     | 22.8                                                       | 9.2                                                 |
| 21      | Punjab                    | NST                       | NA                                                         | NA                                                  |
| 22      | Rajasthan                 | 92.39                     | 13.5                                                       | 8.8                                                 |
| 23      | Sikkim                    | 2.06                      | 33.8                                                       | 0.2                                                 |
| 24      | Tamil Nadu                | 7.95                      | 1.1                                                        | 0.8                                                 |
| 25      | Telangana                 | 32.87                     | 9.3                                                        | 3.1                                                 |
| 26      | Tripura                   | 11.67                     | 31.8                                                       | 1.1                                                 |
| 27      | Uttarakhand               | 2.92                      | 2.9                                                        | 0.3                                                 |
| 28      | Uttar Pradesh             | 11.34                     | 0.6                                                        | 1.1                                                 |
| 29      | West Bengal               | 52.97                     | 5.8                                                        | 5.1                                                 |
| 30      | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 0.29                      | 7.5                                                        | 0.0                                                 |
| 31      | Chandigarh                | NST                       | NA                                                         | NA                                                  |
| 32      | Dadra &Nagar Haveli       | 1.79                      | 52.0                                                       | 0.2                                                 |
| 33      | Daman &Diu                | 0.15                      | 6.3                                                        | 0.0                                                 |
| 34      | Delhi                     | NST                       | NA                                                         | NA                                                  |
| 35      | Lakshadweep               | 0.61                      | 94.8                                                       | 0.1                                                 |
| 36      | Puducherry                | NST                       | NA                                                         | NA                                                  |

Source: Census 2011, Office of the Registrar General, India

Annexure - 2 referred to in reply to part (c) of Lok Sabha Un-starred Question No. 868 for Answer on 23.07.2018 regarding 'Database of Tribal Population'

## Schemes launched by Ministry of Tribal Affairs for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes

## 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 Tribes and 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 pursing 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 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.

## 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 alongwith budgetary requirement and submit it to the Ministry through State Tribal Welfare Department.

*****