Lok Sabha Question No. 468 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-25
Subject: Scheme for Empowerment of Tribal Communities
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Kirsan Namdeo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 468

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 25/07/2024

## SCHEME FOR EMPOWERMENT OF TRIBAL COMMUNITIES

468 DR. KIRSAN NAMDEO:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the names of the schemes being implemented by the Government for the empowerment of tribal communities in the country during the last three years;
- (b) the main objectives of these schemes along with achievements made so far in this regard;
- (c) the number of tribal communities benefited from these schemes so far; and
- (d) the improvements witnessed so far in the living standard of the tribal people?

## ANSWER

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

(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, 40 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. Schemes alongwith  funds  allocated by  the  obligated  Ministries/Departments  for  the  welfare  of  Scheduled Tribes are given at Statement 10B of Expenditure Profile 2024-25 of Union Budget document in the link  https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/eb/stat10b.pdf

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 the  Ministry  aim  to  benefit  all  Scheduled  Tribes  communities  in  the  country. 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 73.6 % (as per Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) report  (July  2022  -  June  2023).  Gross  Enrolment  Ratio  (GER)  at  upper  Primary  level  has improved from 86.4 (2012-13) to 98.0 (2021-22); GER for ST students at secondary level (IXX)  has  increased  from  61.9  (2012-13)  to  78.1  (2021-22);  GER  for  ST  students  at  senior secondary level (XI-XII) has increased from 30.7 (2012-13) to 52.0 (2021-22) and GER for ST students at higher education level has increased from 11.1 (2012-13) to 21.2 (2021-22). 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).

## Annexure I referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.  468  for  25.07.2024  by  DR.  KIRSAN  NAMDEO  regarding  'SCHEME  FOR EMPOWERMENT OF TRIBAL COMMUNITIES'

## 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) Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN): Government has launched Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) on 15th November 2023, which is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. The mission with financial outlay of around Rs.24,000 Crore aims to saturate PVTG households and habitations with basic facilities  such  as  safe  housing,  clean  drinking  water  and  sanitation,  improved  access  to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, electrification of un-electrified households and sustainable livelihood opportunities in time bound manner in 3 years.

(iii) Pradhan Mantri Jan Jatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is  implementing  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Jan  Jatiya  Vikas  Mission  (PMJVM),  which  has  been designed through the merger of two existing schemes for the promotion of tribal livelihood, i.e., 'Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price  (MSP)  and  Development  of  Value  Chain  for  MFP'  and  'Institutional  Support  for Development and Marketing of Tribal Products/Produce'. The guidelines of the scheme were notified on 27th March, 2023.

The scheme envisages fixation and declaration of Minimum Support Price for the selected MFP.  Procurement  and  Marketing  operation  at  pre-fixed  MSP  will  be  undertaken  by  the designated State Agencies in the event of the prevailing market price of the particular MFP item falling below the stipulated MSP. Simultaneously other medium and long term issues like sustainable collection, value addition, infrastructure development, knowledge base expansion of MFP and market intelligence development will also be addressed.

(iv)  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 Navodaya Vidyalayas and will have special facilities for preserving local art and culture besides providing training in sports and skill development.

(v) 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.

(vi)  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.

(vii) 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.

(viii) 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.

(ix) 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.

## (x) 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.

(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

Annexure II referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.  468  for  25.07.2024  by  DR.  KIRSAN  NAMDEO  regarding  'SCHEME  FOR EMPOWERMENT OF TRIBAL COMMUNITIES'

## 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                             |
|--------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|      1 | Pre-Matric Scholarship (no. of scholarship)                                                        | 1259203 in 2023-24                                                       |
|      2 | Post-Matric Scholarship (no. of scholarship)                                                       | 2845303 in 2023-24                                                       |
|      3 | National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students Scheme (Top Class Scheme)  | 5429 in 2023-24                                                          |
|      4 | National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students Scheme (Fellowship Scheme) | 2975 in 2023-24                                                          |
|      5 | National Overseas Scholarship Scheme                                                               | 65 in 2023-24                                                            |
|      6 | Van Dhan Vikas Kendra                                                                              | 120341 in 2023-24                                                        |
|      7 | Grant-in Aid to Voluntary Organizations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes                | 706902 in 2022-23                                                        |
|      8 | Enrollment of Students in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)                                 | 123841 (As on 01.07.2024)                                                |
|      9 | National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) schemes                     | 95025 in 2023-24                                                         |
|     10 | Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY)- Gramin                                                           | 65.89 lakh houses sanctioned 57.22 lakh houses constructed since 2016-17 |
|     11 | Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-Rural)                                                                  | About 1.50 crore Individual Household Latrines constructed since 2014-15 |

|   12. | Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)   | 90,21,667 ST farmers in 2023-24                                                                   |
|-------|------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    13 | Jal Jeevan Mission                             | About 1.50 crore households with household tap connection reported in ST concentrated habitations |
|    14 | Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana             | 97,25,647* Ayushman Card                                                                          |
|    15 | National Social Assistance Programmes (NSAP)   | 3067788 in 2023-24                                                                                |

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