Lok Sabha Question No. 374 (STARRED), answered on 2023-03-27
Subject: Socio-economic Condition of Tribals
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Heena Vijaykumar Gavit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO- *374

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 27/03/2023

## SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITION OF TRIBALS

*374. PROF. RITA BAHUGUNA JOSHI: DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of steps taken by the Government during the last three years to improve the socio-economic condition of tribals in the country;
- (b) the details of various schemes/programs being implemented by the Government for the socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs);
- (c) the total amount allocated by the Government and the actual amount spent thereon during the last three years; and
- (d) whether the aims and objectives of such socio-economic schemes have been achieved, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI ARJUN MUNDA)

- (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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## Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. * 374 for answer on 27.03.2023

(a) to (c): Ministry of Tribal Affairs has taken various steps to improve the socio-economic condition of Scheduled Tribes in the country during last three years. These include: -

(i) Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) is establishing Eklavya Model of Residential Schools (EMRS) in tribal dominated blocks for proving better education to ST students. Since 201920, 353 EMRSs have been sanctioned by the Ministry and 185 schools have been made functional.

(ii) For saturation of gaps in the development of Tribal villages, the scheme 'Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub- scheme has been revamped into Pradhan Mantri Aadi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY). The main aim and objective of the PMAAGY is to develop 36428 villages having at least 50% tribal population and 500 STs in a phased manner by bridging gaps  in  various  sectors  of  development.  States  /UTs  are  encouraged  for  convergence  of resources as Central / State Tribal Sub Plan / Scheduled Tribe Component funds and other financial resources available with them for saturation of gaps in the villages identified under PMAAGY.

(iii) Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India' released to 26 States, having ST population for the purpose of promoting 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.

(iv)  Funds  provided  to  States/UT  having  PVTGs  under  the  scheme  'Development  of Particularly  Vulnerable  Tribal  Groups(PVTGs)'  for  socio-economic  development  of  the PVTGs in a comprehensive manner while retaining culture and heritage of the community by adopting habitat development approach.

(v) Implementing Pradhan Mantri Jan Jatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) for promotion of tribal livelihood.

(vi) Providing scholarships to more than 30 lakh ST students  annually under the Schemes Pre Matric and Post Matric Scholarships for strengthening education among STs.

(vii) Strengthening implementation and monitoring of schemes as indicated below:

-  For monitoring of  schemes online portals have been established.
-  Utilization Certificates are insisted upon as a pre-requisite for further release of funds as per the norms of GFR.
-  Progress reports regarding the status of implementation of  the schemes are obtained.
-  Officers while visiting States / UTs also ascertain the progress of implementation of various schemes/ programmes of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
-  Review meetings/conferences are convened at the Central level with State officials for ensuring timely submission of proposals, speeding up of implementation of the schemes/ programmes, and reviewing the physical and financial progress.
-  State Governments are also required to designate a Single Nodal Agency in terms of revised procedure by Ministry of Finance for release of funds and monitoring for each Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

(viii)  An online monitoring system has been put in place by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs with  web  address:  https://stcmis.gov.in  for  monitoring  of  allocation  and  utilisation  under Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) of the schemes of central Ministries /Departments.  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  (MoTA)  also  convene  meetings  with  central Ministries/Departments having DAPST funds from time to time to review the allocation, expenditure of funds and progress for welfare and development of STs and guide them for better utilization of DAPST funds.

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

Further,  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 under DAPST for various tribal development projects relating  to  education,  health,  agriculture,  irrigation,  roads,  housing, electrification, employment generation, skill development, etc.

The details of  allocation  of  funds  and  expenditure under  DAPST  made by the obligated Central   Ministries  /  Departments  including  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  during  last  three years  are given below:

(Rs. in Crore)

| Year    |   DAPST Allocation (BE) |   DAPST Allocation (RE) |   Expenditure |
|---------|-------------------------|-------------------------|---------------|
| 2019-20 |                 51283.5 |                 47748.8 |       45856.4 |
| 2020-21 |                 52024.2 |                 51780.8 |       48084.1 |
| 2021-22 |                 78256.3 |                 85930.5 |       82530.6 |

(d): 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 11.3 (2013-14) 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 (201516) 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 % (201516)  to  76.8  %  (2019-21).  As  per  the  estimates  of  the  erstwhile  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 referred to in reply to parts (a) to (c) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *374  for  27.03.2023  by  PROF.  RITA  BAHUGUNA  JOSHI  and  DR.  HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT regarding 'SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITION OF TRIBALS'

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,   Agricultural 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 post-secondary 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  Co-operative  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.

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