Lok Sabha Question No. 1625 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-05
Subject: Project launched for Tribal Community
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Shri Sudheer Gupta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1625

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 05/12/2024

## PROJECT LAUNCHED FOR TRIBAL COMMUNITY

## 1625.   SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether 150th anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda was celebrated in the country recently;

(b) if so, the details of the programme/project launched by the Government for tribal community;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  held  any  consultation  with  various  stakeholders  and  State Governments about working towards inclusive and sustainable growth of tribal community in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof and response of various stakeholders and State Governments in this regard; and

(e)  the  details  of  various  initiatives  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  aimed  at  enhancing healthcare access, education, housing etc. in remote tribal areas of the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The Government of India has declared 15 th  November as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in the year 2021. The 4 th Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas was celebrated from 15 th  November to 26 th  November, 2024. In addition, the Commemoration of the period from 15 th  November, 2024 to 15 th  November, 2025 year  as  the  150 th Birth  Anniversary year  of  Bhagwan  Birsa  Munda has  been  approved  by  the Government which will culminate in 150 th  Anniversary celebration on 15 th  November, 2025.

(b): During  the  year  2023-24,  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Janjati  Adivasi  Nyaya  Maha  AbhiyaN  (PM JANMAN) was launched for socio-economic development of 75 PVTG communities residing in 18 states and one UT. The mission aims to provide basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water  and  improved  access  to  education,  health  and  nutrition,  road  and  telecom  connectivity, electrification of unelectrified households and sustainable livelihood opportunities to PVTGs/PVTG

habitations in 3 years. These objectives are planned to be met through 11 interventions implemented by  9line  Ministries.   In  addition,  IEC  campaigns  and  beneficiary saturation  camps  to  enable  the PVTG  population  to  benefit  out  of  other  initiatives/schemes  of  Government,  such  as  Aadhar Enrolment, PM-Jandhan enrolment and so on, are also carried out.

The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan was launched on 2nd October, 2024. The Abhiyan comprises of 25 interventions implemented by 17-line Ministries and aims to saturate infrastructural gaps in 63,843 villages, improve access to health, education, Anganwadi facilities and providing livelihood opportunities benefiting more than 5 crore tribals in 549 districts and 2,911 blocks in 30 States/UTs  in  5  years.  The  Abhiyan  aims  for  improving  the  socio-economic  condition  of  tribal communities,  by  adopting  saturation  coverage  for  tribal  families  in  tribal  majority  villages  and aspirational districts.

(c)  &  (d): A  Manthan  Shivir  was  held  on  15 th December,  2023  to  discuss  the  way  forward  for implementation of Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) Mission with 8 key sectoral Ministries/ departments and their counterpart Departments from 18 States and UTs.  The  shivir  comprised  of  8  sectoral  workshops  on  Rural  Development,  Drinking  water  & Sanitation, Education, Skill development, Health, Women and Child development, Power and Tribal Livelihoods & Infrastructure. Further, a workshop was held on 18 th  & 19 th July, 2024 with Tribal Welfare Departments of States/UTs to review the progress of ongoing schemes of the Ministry and the new initiatives being proposed as per part of Vision 2047. Another manthan shivir was held on 27.09.2024 with 17-line ministries for discussing the road map for implementation of Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA). This Shivir also comprised of sectoral workshops on the roadmap for implementation of various interventions under the Mission.

(e): The Government is implementing Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) as a strategy for the development of Scheduled Tribes and areas having tribal concentration. Beside 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. Further, Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing various schemes/programmes for the welfare and development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the country. Details of these schemes/programmes are as per Annexure-I .

Annexure I referred to in reply to parts (e) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1625 for 05.12.2024  by  Shri  Sudheer  Gupta  and  Shri  Dhairyasheel  Sambhajirao  Mane  regarding 'PROJECT LAUNCHED FOR TRIBAL COMMUNITY'

Brief  details  of  major  schemes/programmes,  including  Grans  under  Article  275(1)  of  the Constitution, being implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in the country is as follows:

## (i) Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN):

Government has launched Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PMJANMAN) 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.   The  Mission  involves  9 Ministries/Departments and 11 interventions.

(ii)  Special  Central  Assistance  to  Tribal  Sub-Scheme  (SCA  to  TSS)/Pradhan  Mantri  Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY): Government has revamped the earlier Scheme of 'Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS) with nomenclature 'Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojna (PMAAGY)', for implementation during 2021-22 to 2025-26, which aims at integrated development of villages with significant tribal population covering about population of 4.22 crore (About 40% of the total Tribal Population). It is envisaged to cover 36,428 villages having at least 50% tribal population and 500 STs across States / UTs with notified STs. The main objective of this scheme is to achieve integrated socio-economic development of selected villages through convergence approach. 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 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 is provided by the Ministry.

(iii)  The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan was launched on 2nd October, 2024. The Abhiyan comprises of  25 interventions implemented by 17 line Ministries and aims to saturate infrastructural gaps in  63,843 villages, improve access to health, education, Anganwadi facilities and providing livelihood opportunities benefiting more than 5 crore tribals in 549 districts and 2,911 blocks in 30 States/UTs in 5 years. The Abhiyan has an outlay of over Rs. 79000 crores. The Abhiyan aims  for  improving  the  socio-economic  condition  of  tribal  communities,  by  adopting  saturation coverage for tribal families in tribal majority villages and aspirational districts.

(iv)  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 87 MFPs. 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. Vandhan Vikas Kendras, comprising of 15 SHGs with 20 members each (totally 300 members per VDVK optimally) are sanctioned and provided a financial assistance of Rs. 15 lakhs for training, procurement of toolkit and operationalization purposes.  This enables these VDVKs to commence operations and augment their incomes.  In addition,  marketing support is provided by the TRIFED for sale of tribal products through  a chain of outlets called Tribes India.

(v) 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.

(vi) Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution: Grants-in-aid under Article 275(1) of the Constitution  of  India  is  meant  for  the  development  of  the  Schedule  Tribes  and  for  creation  of infrastructure in tribal areas. Under the program, grants are released to States, having ST population for raising the level of administration in Scheduled Areas and for the welfare of tribal people. Grantsin-aid  under  Proviso  to  Article  275(1)  of  Constitution  of  India  are  100%  annual  grant  from Government of India to 27 States. It is charged to Consolidated Fund of India (except grants for Northeastern  States,  a  voted  item)  and  is  an  additive  to  State  Plan  funds  and  efforts  for  Tribal Development.

## (vii) Grant-in Aid to Voluntary Organizations working for the welfare of Scheduled

Tribes: The  prime  objective  of  the  scheme  is  to  enhance  the  reach  of  welfare  schemes  of Government and fill the gaps in service deficient tribal areas, in the sectors such as education and health through the efforts of voluntary organizations, and to provide favourable environment for socio-economic  upliftment  and  overall  development  of  the  Scheduled  Tribes  (STs).  Any  other activity having direct positive impact on the socio-economic development or livelihood generation of STs may also be considered through voluntary efforts. The scheme is demand-driven and grants are  provided  to  the  non-governmental  organizations  on  application,  in  a  prescribed  format,  duly recommended by the State Government/UT Administration of the concerned State/UT. The grants are also provided for strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts with the aims to bridge the gap in literacy levels between the general female population and tribal women and is meant exclusively for ST Girls.

(viii) Pre-Matric Scholarships to ST students: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented through respective State/UT administrations. This is an open-ended Scheme covering all ST students studying in Std. IXth & Xth, whose annual parental income is not exceeding Rs.2.50 lakhs. The contribution from Government of India is 75% and the state contribution is 25%. In respect of North East  states  and  hilly  states,  the  contribution  from  Government  of  India  is  90%  and  the  state contribution is 10%. In case of UTs like Andaman & Nicobar without Legislative Assembly and own grants, Govt. of India's contribution is100%.

(ix) Post Matric Scholarship to ST students: It  is  a  Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented through respective Ste/UT administrations. This is an open-ended Scheme covering all ST students studying in in class XI and above, whose annual parental income is not exceeding Rs.2.50 lakhs. The contribution from Government of India is 75% and the state contribution is 25%. In respect of North East  states  and  hilly  states,  the  contribution  from  Government  of  India  is  90%  and  the  state contribution is 10%. In case of UTs like Andaman & Nicobar without Legislative Assembly and own grants, Govt. of India's contribution is 100%.

(x) National Overseas Scholarships for ST Candidates: National Overseas Scholarship for ST students: It is a Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs under which scholarships are given to the meritorious Schedule Tribe (ST) students for pursuing higher education in top 1000 ranked (as per latest QS world ranking) Institutes/Universities abroad. The Scheme is implemented through the Indian Embassies/Missions abroad, Ministry of External Affairs. Twenty awards are given every year. ST students with annual family income not exceeding Rs.6.0 lakhs are eligible to apply for the Scholarship under the Scheme.

## (xi) National Fellowship & Scholarship for Higher Education of ST students:

(a) National Scholarship Scheme for Higher Education of ST Students (earlier known as Top Class Scholarship Scheme): Under this Scheme, Scholarship is provided for pursuing Graduate/Post  Graduate  courses  in  the  selected  top-class  Government  and  Non-Government Institutes in professional fields such as Management,  Medicine,  Engineering,  Information Technology, Law etc. All the ST students, with annual parental income is not exceeding Rs.6.0 lakhs and studying in the 265 notified institutes by the Ministry, are eligible to receive scholarship.

(b) National Fellowship Scheme for Higher Education of ST Students: It  is  a  Central  Sector Scheme, fully funded by Ministry of Tribal Affairs to grant scholarship to meritorious ST students for pursuing M.Phil or Ph.D in India after completion of Master degree. The total number of fresh fellowships for M.Phil / M.Phil+PhD/ Ph.D every year will be 750. ST students with a minimum of 55% marks in Master Degree up to the age of 36 years are eligible to apply for fellowship under the Scheme. The value of fellowship is at par with UGC rates.

(xii) Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs): Ministry of Tribal Affairs extends support to the State Governments through centrally sponsored Scheme, 'Support to Tribal Research Institute (TRI)'  to  strengthen  Tribal  Research  Institutes  (TRIs)  in  their  infrastructural  needs,  research  & documentation  activities  and  training  &capacity  building  programmes,  organization  of  tribal festivals yatras for promotion of unique cultural heritage and for promoting tourism and organization of exchange visits by tribal, so that the tribal culture practices, languages and ritual are preserved and disseminated.

## (xiii) Tribal Research Information, Education, communication and Events (TRI-ECE):

The scheme 'Tribal  Research  Information,  Education,  communication  and  Events  (TRIECE)'  is aimed at promotion of rich tribal cultural heritage, dissemination of information and creation of awareness,  including  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  highlighting  significant  studies,  documenting historical facets of tribal communities, achievements of Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) & State Departments  besides  other  necessary  publicity  at  regular  intervals..  Financial  support  under  the scheme is given to State Governments, academic and research institutes in public and private sector, organizations of Union/State/UT governments, non-government organizations, not-for profit private organizations, and Centres of Excellence (COE) in research and development. It is envisaged that such organizations would play an important role in building knowledge bank and complementing efforts  of  Tribal  Research  Institutes  in  the  States  for  devising  appropriate  strategies  for  tribal development by the Union and State Government.

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