Lok Sabha Question No. 1376 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-25
Subject: Funds to Poor among STs
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Faizal P.P. Mohammed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1376

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 25/07/2022

## FUNDS TO POOR AMONG STs

## 1376. SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P.:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  funds  sanctioned  under  the  scheme  are utilized  effectively,  as  reports  suggest poor indicators of literacy rate, infant mortality rate etc.;

(b) the policy interventions the Government deem fit to ensure effective utilization of the funds; (c) whether the Government has any plan to improve the implementation of the schemes, given that the percentage of poor among the STs has increased from 71% to 76% over the last decade; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d): Data  pertaining  to  decennial  Census,  management  information  system,  sample surveys  conducted  by  different  Ministries  /  Departments  of  Government  of  India,  reveal  that over the years there have been considerable improvements in living conditions of the Scheduled Tribes (STs), for example, literacy rate for STs has improved from 47.1% in 2001 to 59% in 2011. Further, Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) report (July 2020 - June 2021) of Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation reveals that literacy rate for STs increased to 71.6 %. As per National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) conducted by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in respect of Scheduled Tribes, Infant Mortality Rate has declined from 62.1 (2005-06) to 41.6 (2019-21); Under Five Mortality Rate has declined from 95.7 (2005-06) to 50.3 (201921),  Institutional  Delivery  has  increased  from  17.7%  (2005-06)  to  82.3  %  (2019-21)  and immunization of children aged 12-23 months has increased from 31.3 % (2005-06) to 76.8 % (2019-21). Further, percentage of Underweight (weight-for age) ST children under age five years has  declined  from  54.5  in  2005-06  to  39.5  in  2019-21.   Erstwhile  Planning  Commission estimated that 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. Also, percentage of ST people living below the poverty line in urban areas has declined from 35.5% in 2004-05 to 24.1% in 2011-12. However, there are still gaps in human development indicators between STs and all India population.

Government is implementing Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP)/Schedule Tribe Component (STC)/Development  Action  Plan  for  STs  (DAPST)  for  overall  development  of  tribal  people across the country. Besides Ministry of Tribal Affairs, 41 Central Ministries / Departments have been obligated for earmarking in the range of 4.3 to 17.5 percent of their total Scheme allocation every year as TSP/STC/DAPST funds for tribal development. TSP/STC/DAPST funds are spent by  different  Central  Ministries  /  Departments  under  their  schemes  for  various  development projects  relating  to  education,  health,  agriculture,  irrigation,  roads,  housing,  drinking  water, electrification,  employment  generation,  skill  development,  etc.  for accelerated  socio-economic development of STs. NITI Aayog has issued guidelines for earmarking, effective utilization of TSP)/  STC/DAPST  funds  by  the  obligated  Ministries/Departments for the welfare and development of STs.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs has developed STC MIS Portal with web address: https://stcmis.gov.in for  monitoring  of  TSP/STC/DAPST  funds  of  the  obligated  Ministries/Departments.  The Ministry also takes meetings periodically with the obligated Ministries/Departments to review allocation,  utilization,  and  physical  progress  under TSP/STC/DAPST. Adherence of TSP/STC allocation  earmarking  norm  as  per guidelines, identification of schemes,  allocation  and utilization  of  TSP/STC/DAPST  funds  under  such  schemes  which  provide  specific  benefits  to STs, setting up of target/deliverables under TSP/STC/DAPST and monitoring of progress, etc., are  emphasized  in  the  review  meetings.  Physical  progress  under  TSP/STC/DAPST  is  also obtained from the Ministries/Departments. Apart from this, various mechanisms for improving implementation of schemes and monitoring utilization of funds have been put in place. Some of them are as under:

- i. Release  of  funds  to  States/UTs  under  the  schemesis  made  through Public  Financial Management System (PFMS) platform.
- ii. The Government has introduced Single Nodal Agency (SNA) model which ensures that allocation of funds to States for the CSS are made in a timely manner and after meeting various  stipulations.  Effective  implementation  of  this  Model  has  brought  about  greater efficiency in CSS fund utilization, tracking of funds, pragmatic and just-in-time release of funds  to  the  States;  ultimately  all  contributing  to  better  Cash  Management  of  the Government.
- iii. Utilization Certificates are insisted upon as a pre-requisite for further release of funds as per the norms of GFR.
- iv. Progress reports regarding the status of implementation of scheme is obtained.
- v. Officers  while  visiting  States/UTs  also  ascertain  the progress  of implementation  of  the scheme.
- vi. Meetings/ Conferences are convened at the Central level with State officials for ensuring timely  submission  of  proposals,  speeding  up  of  implementation  of  the  scheme,  and reviewing the physical and financial progress.
- vii. Scheme/programme-wise  progress  and  utilization  of  funds  are  also  monitored  through dedicated online portals and performance dashboard.
- viii. Besides, evaluation of the schemes is conducted from time to time.

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