Lok Sabha Question No. 3082 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-20
Subject: Upliftment of Scheduled Tribes
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Basanta Kumar Panda, Nihal Chand Chauhan, Ramcharan Bohra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-  †3082

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 20/03/2023

## UPLIFTMENT OF SCHEDULED TRIBES

† 3082. SHRI BASANTA KUMAR PANDA:

SHRI NIHAL CHAND: SHRI RAMCHARAN BOHRA:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the welfare schemes being implemented by the Union Government for the upliftment of tribal communities in the country during the last eight years;
- (b) the details of the several schemes being run in the country for the last eight years, State-wise;
- (c) the main objectives of the said schemes and the achievement made thereunder so far; and
- (d) the number of tribal communities which have been benefitted by the said schemes so far and the improvement made in the standards of living of the said communities?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d): Government  is  implementing  Development  Action  Plan  for  Scheduled  Tribes (DAPST)  as  a  strategy  for  the  development  of  Scheduled  Tribes  and  areas  having  tribal concentration.  Besides  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs,  41  Ministries/Departments  are  allocating certain percentage of their total scheme budget every year for tribal development under DAPST for various tribal development projects relating to education, health, agriculture, irrigation, roads, housing, electrification, employment generation, skill development, etc.

Further, Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing various schemes/programmes for the welfare and  development  of  the  of  the  Scheduled  Tribes  (STs)  in  the  country.  Details  of  major schemes/programmes implemented by the Ministry are given at Annexure I .

Schemes of Ministry aim to benefit all Scheduled Tribes communities notified under Article 342 of the Constitution of India. Achievement/progress/number of beneficiaries under some schemes are given at Annexure II .

Data  pertaining  to  Census,  management  information  systems  and  large  scale  sample  surveys conducted  by  different  Ministries/  Departments  of  Government  of  India,  reveal  that  over  the years  considerable  improvements  have  been  registered  in  socio-economic  indicators  with respect  to  the  Scheduled  Tribes  (STs)  in  the  country,  for  example,  literacy  rate  for  STs  has improved from 59% (Census) in 2011 to 71.6% (as per Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) report  (July  2020  -  June  2021).  Gross  Enrolment  Ratio  (GER)  at  upper  Primary  level  has improved from 91.3 (2013-14) to 98.0 (2021-22); GER for ST students at secondary level (IX-X) has increased from 70.2 (2013-14) to 78.1 (2021-22); GER for ST students at senior secondary level (XI-XII) has increased from 35.4 (2013-14) to 52.0 (2021-22) and GER for ST students at higher  education  level  has  increased  from  13.7  (2014-15)  to  18.9  (2020-21).  As  per  National Family Health Survey (NFHS) conducted by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in respect of Scheduled Tribes, Infant Mortality Rate has declined from 44.4 (2015-16) to 41.6 (2019-21); Under Five Mortality Rate has declined from 57.2 (2015-16) to 50.3 (2019-21), and Institutional Delivery has increased from 68% (2015-16) to 82.3% (2019-21). Further, full immunization of children aged 12-23 months has increased from 55.8 % (2015-16) to 76.8 % (2019-21). As per the  estimates  of  the  earlier  Planning  Commission,  percentage  of  ST  people  living  below  the poverty line in rural areas has declined from 62.3% in 2004-05 to 45.3% in 2011-12.

Annexure I referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. †3082 for 20.03.2023 by SHRI BASANTA KUMAR PANDA, SHRI NIHAL CHAND and SHRI RAMCHARAN BOHRA regarding 'UPLIFTMENT OF SCHEDULED TRIBES' Brief details of major schemes/programmes being implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in the country:

- (i)  Special    Central    Assistance    to    Tribal    Sub-Scheme    (SCA    to    TSS)/Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY): Under scheme of Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS) 100% grants was provided to the State Governments for activities  related  to  education,  health,  sanitation,  water  supply,  livelihood,  skill  development, Ashram Schools, Boys and Girls Hostels, minor infrastructure, etc. to bridge the gap between Scheduled Tribe (ST) population and others as a critical gap filling measure. The Scheme has been revamped as Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY).

The Ministry has analyzed Mission Antyodaya data collated by Ministry of Rural Development and  has  identified  36,428  villages  with  50%  ST  population  and  500  STs  to  be  covered  under PMAAGY.   Relevant  schemes  of  different  Central  Ministries  have  been  identified  based  on Tribal Sub Plan allocation. States are also be encouraged to supplement with State TSP funds, District  Mineral  Funds  (DMF) and Finance  Commission grants. Under PMAAGY, 20.38 lakh per  village  as  'Gap-filling'  for  approved  activities  including  administrative  expenses  will  be provided by the Ministry.

- (ii)  Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution :  Under the Proviso to Article 275(1) of Constitution,  Grants  are  released  to  26  States,  having  ST  population  for  raising  the  level  of administration in Scheduled Areas and for the welfare of tribal people. This is a Special Area Programme  and  100%  grants  are  provided  to  States.  Funds  are  released  to  the    State Governments depending on the felt needs of ST population to bridge the gap in infrastructure activities  in  the  fields  of  education,  health,  skill  development,  livelihood,  drinking  water, sanitation, etc.
- (iii)  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    activities  like  education,  housing,  land  distribution,  land  development,  agricul tural  development,   animal   husbandry,   construction   of   link   roads,   installation   of   nonconventional sources of energy for lighting purpose, social security or any other innovative  activity meant for the  comprehensive socio-economic development of PVTGs.
- (iv)  Grant-in  Aid  to  Voluntary  Organizations  working  for  the  welfare  of  Scheduled Tribes: Under the scheme of Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary Organizations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes, the Ministry funds projects in the fields of education and health, covering residential  schools,  non-residential  schools,  hostels,  mobile  dispensaries,  ten  or  more  bedded hospitals, livelihood, etc.
- (v)  Pre-Matric  Scholarships  to  ST  students :  The  scheme  is  applicable  to  students  who  are studying in Classes IX -X.  Parental income from all sources should not be more 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. Scholarship is disbursed through the State Government/UT Administration. Funding ratio is 75:25 between Centre and States for all States

except  North  East  and  Hills  States/UT  like  Himachal  Pradesh,  Uttarakhand  and  Jammu  and Kashmir where it is 90:10. For UTs without legislature sharing pattern is 100% Central share.

(vi)  Post  Matric  Scholarship  to  ST  students: The  objective  of  the  scheme  is  to  provide financial assistance to the Scheduled   Tribe   students   studying   at   post-matriculation or postsecondary levels to enable them to complete their education.  Parental income from all sources should  not  be  more  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.  The  Scheme  is  implemented  by  the  State  Governments  and  Union  Territory Administrations. Funding ratio is 75:25 between Centre and States for all States except NE and Hilly States/UT of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir where it is 90:10. For UTs without legislature sharing pattern is 100% Central share.

(vii) National Overseas Scholarships for ST Candidates: 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.

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

(a)National Scholarship- (Top class) Scheme [Graduate level]: The objective of the scheme is to encourage meritorious 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.  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) National Fellowship 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.

(ix) Eklavya Model  Residential  Schools  (EMRS): Eklavya Model  Residential Schools (EMRSs) were introduced  in  the  year  1997-98  to  impart  quality  education  exclusively  to  ST children with an objective to provide quality middle and high-level 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. In the Union Budget of 2018-19, Government announced that every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 ST persons will be eligible to have an Eklavya Model Residential School. A total number of 740 EMRSs are scheduled to be established. Eklavya schools will be on  par  with  NavodayaVidyalayas  and  will  have  special  facilities  for  preserving  local  art  and culture besides providing training in sports and skill development.

(x) Pradhan Mantri Jan Jatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM): Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been implementing a Scheme 'Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce through Minimum Support Price and Development of Value Chain for MFP (MSP for MFP)' through Tribal Cooperative  Marketing  Development  Federation  (TRIFED),  since  2011  with  the  objective  of providing safety net to ST MFP gatherers.

Ministry is implementing another scheme 'Institutional Support for Development and Marketing of  Tribal  Products'  with  100  %  grant  to  TRIFED  and  State  Forest  Development  Corporations (SDCs) for development and marketing of tribal products.

PMJVM has been conceptualized with the merger of the above two Schemes i.e. 'MSP for MFP' and 'Institutional Support for Development and Marketing of Tribal Products'. PMJVM seeks to achieve livelihood driven tribal development through quality input, technology, credit and better marketing access etc. in the next five years.

(xi)  Support  to  Tribal  Research  Institutes  (TRIs): Ministry  extends  support  to  the  State Governments through the Scheme to set up new TRIs where it didn't exist and to strengthen functioning of existing TRIs  to carry out its core responsibility towards  Research  & Documentations,  Training  and  capacity  building,  promotion  of  rich  tribal  heritage  etc.  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 prepare proposal and detailed action plan for the year along with budgetary requirement and submit it to the Ministry through State Tribal Welfare Department. Within the set of TRIs, there are cultural museum, library, training centre, research wing etc.

(xii) Tribal  Festivals,  Research  Information  and Mass  Education : Through the scheme, promotion  of  rich  tribal  cultural  heritage,  dissemination  of  information  and  creation  of awareness are given attention to which includes organization of Tribal Craft & Food Festivals, Sports,  Music,  Dance  &  Photo  Competitions,  Science,  Art  &  Craft  Expos,  Workshops, Seminars, Production of documentary films by the Ministry & States, Bringing out Publications thereby  highlighting  significant  studies,  documenting  historical  facets  of  tribal  communities, achievements  of  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  (MoTA)  &  State  Departments  besides  other advertisements etc. at regular intervals. With a view to fill the gap of research studies on tribal issues,  MoTA  recognizes  renowned  NGOs,  Research  Institutes,  Universities  where  expertise exist and which have already made a mark by carrying out pioneering research in the field of tribal  cultures  as  Centre  of  Excellences  (CoEs).  It  is  envisaged  that  CoEs  should  play  an important role in building knowledge bank to complement dedicated Activities of the Ministry.

Annexure II referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. †3082 for 20.03.2023 by SHRI BASANTA KUMAR PANDA, SHRI NIHAL CHAND and SHRI RAMCHARAN BOHRA regarding 'UPLIFTMENT OF SCHEDULED TRIBES'

## Achievement/progress/no of ST beneficiaries under some schemes of Ministry of Tribal Affairs and obligated Ministries/Departments

|   S.N. | Scheme/Programme                                                               | Achievement/progress/no of ST beneficiaries/Students                                                  |
|--------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|      1 | Pre-Matric Scholarship                                                         | 14,36,059 (2021-22)                                                                                   |
|      2 | Post-Matric Scholarship                                                        | 18,72,352 (2021-22)                                                                                   |
|      3 | Enrollment of Students in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)             | 1,13,275(2022-23)                                                                                     |
|      4 | National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) schemes | 1,65,101 (2021-22)                                                                                    |
|      5 | Pradhan Mantri AwasYojna (PMAY)-Gramin                                         | 61.68 lakh houses sanctioned 45.35 lakh houses constructed since 2016-17                              |
|      6 | Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-Rural)                                              | 1.477 crore Individual Household Latrines constructed since 2014-15                                   |
|      7 | Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM- KISAN)                                  | 1,18,15,951 ST farmers                                                                                |
|      8 | Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana                                             | 91.93 Lakh                                                                                            |
|      9 | Jal Jeevan Mission                                                             | Reported piped water supply connection in around 50 percent household of ST concentrated habitations. |
|     10 | National Social Assistance Programme                                           | 29,89,377 in 2021-22                                                                                  |

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