Lok Sabha Question No. 2984 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-21
Subject: Schemes in Tribal Areas
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Gajendra Singh Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- †2984

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 21/03/2022

## SCHEMES IN TRIBAL AREAS

## †2984. SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH PATEL :

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether at present any particular scheme is being implemented/ proposed to be implemented in tribal areas and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether  any  particular  scheme  has  been  sanctioned  by  the  Government  for  the  Khargaon Badwani region and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of latest schemes sanctioned for the 'Aspirational Districts';

(d) the present status of various schemes being run in these 'Aspirational Districts' which are quite popular in tribal areas and are proving beneficial for the tribal community; and

(e) the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) &  (b) :  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, 40 Central Ministries / Departments have been obligated by NITI Aayog for earmarking in the range of 4.3 to 17.5 percent of their total Scheme allocation every year  as  STC  funds  for  tribal  development.  STC  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  Scheduled  Tribes.  In  addition, Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  provides  funds  under  its  schemes  to  supplement  the  efforts  of  tribal development  by  other  Ministries/Departments. The  details  of  the  schemes  presently  being implemented by the Ministry of Tribal  Affairs  for  the  integrated  socio-economic  development  and welfare of the Scheduled Tribes in the country are given at Annexure.

(c)  to  (e): Under  the  Aspirational  Districts  Programme,  the  Government  of  India  has  identified 112districts which in past has shown relatively slow progress in key social and economic indicators. The Programme aims at rapid transformation of these districts across sectors which are critical for improving quality of life or economic productivity of citizens and these sectors are Health and Nutrition, School Education, Basic Infrastructure, Agriculture and Water Resources and Financial Inclusion & Skill  Development.  These  112  Aspirational  Districts  are  spread  across  26  States  and  1  Union Territory. The selection of these 112 Districts was done through a transparent process on the basis of published data available during launch of the programme in 2018. The Aspirational Districts

Programme  is  over  and  above  the  existing  schemes  of  the  Central  and  the  State  Governments concerned and as such it is in the nature of additionality. As the main strategy of the programme is based on convergence of existing schemes which have their own funding arrangement, infusion of additional fund is not envisaged. However, in order to foster a competitive spirit, and for addressing the critical gaps, additional allocation on the basis of performance is envisaged. Every month, districts are assessed on the basis of monthly progress and the best performing Districts in overall terms and in each of the five sectors are identified. The first and second rankers in overall terms are awarded₹10 crores and ₹5 crores respectively. The first ranker from each of the five sectors is awarded ₹3 crores each. As per this method, a total of approximately ₹ 519.02 crore has been disbursed for projects formulated by 91 Districts across all sectors under focus in the Programme. These projects are in various stages of implementation.

Annexure Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) & (b) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2984 for 21.03.2022 by SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH PATEL regarding 'SCHEMES IN TRIBAL AREAS' Brief details of Schemes/Programmes being implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in t he country:

(i)  Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution :  Under the programme of 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   States 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.

(ii) Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): The scheme of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) was 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 'The Government is committed to provide the best quality education to the tribal children in their own environment. To realize this mission, it has been decided that by the year 2022, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons, will have an Eklavya Model Residential School. Eklavya schools will be on par with Navodaya Vidyalayas and will have special facilities for preserving local art and culture besides providing training in sports and skill development."

It was a component of Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution. In terms of the aforesaid Budget announcement,  a  scheme  was  formulated  and  the  same  was  appraised  and  approved  by  EFC. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), in its meeting held on 17.12.18, inter-alia approved the revamping of the EMRS Scheme.

(iii) 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, etc.

(iv)  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 like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir where it is 90:10. For UT's without legislature sharing pattern is 100% Central Share.

(v) 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/UTs of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir where it is 90:10. For UT's without legislature sharing pattern is 100% Central Share.

(vi)  National  Overseas  Scholarships  for  ST  Candidates  for  Studying  Abroad: The  Scheme provides  for  financial  assistance  to  selected  students  to  pursue  Post  Graduation,  PhD  &  PostDoctoral 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.

## (vii) 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. (Presently, @Rs.25,000/- for JRF and @Rs.28,000/- for SRF).

(viii) 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 SubScheme (SCA to TSS) 100% grants is provided to the State Governments for activities related to education, health, sanitation, water supply, livelihood, skill development, Ashram Schools, Boys and Girls  Hostels,  Vocational  Training  Centres  (VTCs),  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 analysed Mission Antyodaya data collated by Ministry of Rural Development and has identified 36,428 villages with 50% tribal population and 500 STs to be covered under PMAAGY in  consultation  with  the  States.  The  relevant  schemes  of  different  Central  Ministries  have  been identified based on Tribal Sub Plan allocation. States would also be encouraged to supplement with State TSP funds, District Mineral Funds (DMF) and Finance Commission grants. For PMAAGY, 20.38 lakh  per  village  as  'Gap-filling'  for  approved  activities  including  administrative  expenses  will  be provided by the Ministry.

(ix) 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  the  activities  like  education,  housing,  land  distribution,  land  development,  agricult ural 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.

(x)  Pradhan  Mantri  Jan  Jatiye  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. One of the ongoing components of the scheme is Van Dhan Yojan, where in about 50000 Van Dhan self-help group (VDSHG) comprising 20 members in each VDSHG are proposed to be sanctioned. Cluster of 15 such Vandhan Self Help Groups will constitute Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Clusters (VDVKC). The scheme has a provision of funding of Rs 15 lakh per VDVKC  for  training  and  for  buying  tools  and  machinery.  The  MFP  gathered  by  tribals  will  be processed in these kendras and marketed through 200 Van Dhan Producer Organisations. 3000 new haats and 600 warehouses will be developed in next 5 year as part of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan TRIFED would be the nodal implementing agency for the schemes. The products will be marketed through Tribe India outlets.

(xi) Monitoring, Evaluation, Survey and Social Audit (MESSA): The Ministry is responsible for monitoring  of  Central  and  State  Schedule  Tribe  Component  as  per  framework  and  mechanism designed  by  NITI  Aayog.  Ministry  has  initiated  end  to  end  digitization  of  data  bases  of  various schemes  and  has  developed  scheme  specific  portals.  Still  there  is  scope  for  strengthening  the monitoring and evaluation framework through digital and physical verification of the projects. Ministry is revamping the scheme with the establishment of a Central PMU consisting of experts to monitor the scheme and non-scheme initiatives of the ministry, which will coordinate with State level PMUs.

(xii)  Support  to  National/State  Scheduled  Tribes  Finance  and  Development  Corporation (NSTFDC) / Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribes (VCF - ST): NSTFDC was started by the Ministry in 2001 to extend financial assistance at concessional rates to Scheduled Tribes Individuals / Self Help Groups, Co-operative society for undertaking income generation activities. The authorized share capital of NSTFDC stands at 750.00 crore, which has already been provided completely by Government. Now, the Scheme of 'VCF-ST' has been conceptualized by the Ministry with a corpus fund of 50.00 crore for a period of five years during 2021-26 for promoting entrepreneurship/start-up projects by ST youth. It is proposed that guidelines similar to the scheme of 'Venture Capital  for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes' be adopted for the scheme. It is envisioned that NSTFDC will provide technical support to the agency managing the VCF-ST.

(xiii)  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.

(xiv)  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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