Lok Sabha Question No. 683 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-28
Subject: High Poverty Rate among Tribals
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Chintamani Maharaj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 683

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 28.11.2024

## HIGH POVERTY RATE AMONG TRIBALS

## †683. SHRI CHINTAMANI MAHARAJ:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  tribes  are  lagging  behind  in  competing  with  others  due  to  shift  from  traditional  subsistence economies to market based systems;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the said problem is the main reason for prevalence of high poverty rate among tribes; and
- (d) if so, the measures taken by the Government to overcome the said problem along with the details thereof
- including the achievements made in this regard?

## MINISTER OF STATE  FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

(a) to (d): The Ministry conducted evaluation study for the scheme 'Institutional Support for Development and Marketing of Tribal Products/Produce' through Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) during the year 2019-20 wherein the assessment of challenges being faced by the STs in marketing their products revealed lack of credit linkage, inadequate exposure to new designs, lack of penetration of Tribal Co-operative Marketing Federation of India (TRIFED) below the level of State capitals, Patenting issues and Lack of funds for scalingup of products.

Also, Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) (now called Scheduled Tribe Component) Strategy has been adopted by the Government  for  accelerated  development  of  tribal  areas.  It  envisages  channelizing  the  flow  of  outlays  & benefits  from  all  sectors  of  development  to  ST  population.  The  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  also  administers Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution wherein funds are released to the State Governments inter-alia for creation of productive assets for income generating opportunities which may help in addressing the issue of Poverty.  Also,  the  National  Scheduled  Tribes  Finance  and  Development  Corporation  (NSTFDC)  under  the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, provides concessional loans to individuals or groups of STs for undertaking selfemployment  income  generation  activities  through  its  channelizing  agencies.  During  the  last  five  years  an amount of Rs. 1577.12 cr has been disbursed to 623605 beneficiaries.

Under  the  scheme  Pradhan  Mantri  Janjatiya  Vikas  Mission  (PMJVM),  TRIFED  provides  revolving funds to State Governments for procurement of Minor Forest Produce (MFPs) and establishment of Van Dhan Vikas  Kendras  (VDVKs)  for  value  addition  activities  of  MFPs  &  non-MFPs.  The  Ministry  has  released  Rs 319.65 cr. as revolving funds to States Governments against which procurement of Rs.664 cr. of MFPs has been undertaken  under  the  scheme  by  them.   Also,  an  amount  of  Rs.  587.36  crores  have  been  sanctioned  for establishment of 3958 VDVKs across the country.

In addition, TRIFED provides backward & forward linkages to its empaneled tribal artisans / suppliers for  marketing  of  their  products  under  various  categories  like  metal  craft,  textile,  jewelry,  painting,  cane  & bamboo, terracotta & pottery, organic & natural food products etc. through online and offline platforms. During the last five years, TRIFED has made a procurement of Rs 130.58 cr and has realized a sale of Rs. 186.02 cr.

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## ANSWER