Lok Sabha Question No. 772 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-24
Subject: Development Scheme for Tribals at Rural Level
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Sunil Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 772

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 24/07/2025

## DEVELOPMENT SCHEME FOR TRIBALS AT RURAL LEVEL

## 772. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  true  that  the  Government  is  implementing  various  schemes  at  the  rural  level  for  the development of tribal communities and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that a large population of Tharu tribe lives in the Valmiki Nagar Lok Sabha Constituency of Bihar and the community is skilled in handicrafts such as making shawls, sheets, mooj (grass-based products) like dauni and mauni;
- (c) if so, the details of the schemes being prepared by the Government for their livelihoods; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to set up handloom industry units in Tharu-dominated Tharuhat areas such as Harnatand in Bagaha-2 block, Bakhri Bazaar in Ramnagar block and Belsandi in Gaunaha block and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d): The  Government  is  implementing  various  schemes  for  socio-economic  development  of  tribal community  in  general.  Ministry  of  textiles  implements  National  Handicraft  Development  Programme [NHDP]  and  Handicrafts  Cluster  Development  Scheme  [CHCDS]  for  overall  development  of  the handicraft's artisans including tribal artisans. It provides support for marketing, skill development, cluster development,  formation  of  Producer  Companies,  direct  benefit  to  artisans,  infrastructural  and  technology support, research and development support etc. which are benefitting to the artisans throughout the country including Tribal community. Total 646 Pahchan Identity Cards have been issued to the handicraft artisans (ST)  belonging  to  West  Champaran  district,  Bihar.  They  can  sell  their  handicrafts  products  online  and offline through participating in marketing programs like Gandhi Shilp Bazaar, Dilli Haat, Ecommerce plat form etc.

Under the scheme of Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs,  Tribal  Cooperative  Marketing  Development  Federation  of  India  (TRIFED)  has  empanelled  56 artisans/  producers/  suppliers  from  Tharu  community  of  Bihar  with  whom  405  number  of  families  are associated and are getting benefits through marketing of their products.

The Government of Bihar has informed that through the Integrated Tharuhat Development Agency, following schemes have been implemented for the social, economic and cultural development of the tribes (including Tharu) of the Tharuhat region of West Champaran:

- Weaver's workshop-cum-residential building has been constructed for self-employment in Harnatand Panchayat of Block, Bagaha-2, which is fully operational.
- Approval has been given for construction of handloom building at Mishrauli in Bagaha-2.

Apart from this, Government of Bihar is running other programmes to encourage livelihood activities through  Jeevika.  In  the  43  panchayats  of  Sidhauv  Block  (Bagaha-2),  Ramnagar,  Gaunaha  and  Mainatanr under Tharuhat region, 77871 families have been connected through 6378 self-help groups so far for their capacity building and livelihood activities.

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