Lok Sabha Question No. 2918 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-12
Subject: Education and Employment  in Tribal Areas
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Geniben Nagaji Thakor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- †2918

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 12/12/2024

## EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT IN TRIBAL AREAS

## † 2918 SMT. GENIBEN NAGAJI THAKOR:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  tribal  areas  are  still  lagging  behind  in  the  fields  of  education  and employment;

(b) if so, the measures being taken for providing education and employment in these areas;

- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  any  data  in  respect  of  employment  opportunities provided to the tribal youths during the last three years; and

(d) if so, the details therefor in Gujarat, district-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Tribal areas have improved significantly in the field of education and employment as enumerated below. In the field of education though Gaps between Tribal and All students exist, the gap is closing. In the case of employment as per the data available, the ST community is performing well.

The  tables  given  below  provide  an  overall  vie  regarding  literacy,  enrollment  and dropout of Schedule tribe and ALL students.

## (i) Status of Education among Scheduled Tribes Literacy Rates:

There is a gap in education/employment which is getting progressly narrowed.  The Literacy rate of total population and Scheduled Tribes Population and the Gaps therein for  India,  States  &  Union  Territories  for  years  1991,  2001  and  2011,  2021,  2022 respectively as under:

| Comparative Literacy Rates of STs and Total Population ( in per cent)   |   Comparative Literacy Rates of STs and Total Population ( in per cent) |   Comparative Literacy Rates of STs and Total Population ( in per cent) |   Comparative Literacy Rates of STs and Total Population ( in per cent) |   Comparative Literacy Rates of STs and Total Population ( in per cent) |   Comparative Literacy Rates of STs and Total Population ( in per cent) |   Comparative Literacy Rates of STs and Total Population ( in per cent) | Comparative Literacy Rates of STs and Total Population ( in per cent)   | Comparative Literacy Rates of STs and Total Population ( in per cent)   | Comparative Literacy Rates of STs and Total Population ( in per cent)   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Category / Census Year                                                  |                                                                 1961    |                                                                 1971    |                                                                 1981    |                                                                 1991    |                                                                 2001    |                                                                    2011 | 2020- 21                                                                | 2021- 22                                                                | 2022- 23                                                                |
| Total Population                                                        |                                                                   28.3  |                                                                   34.45 |                                                                   43.57 |                                                                   52.21 |                                                                   64.84 |                                                                      73 | 79.2                                                                    | 79.7                                                                    | 80.3                                                                    |
| Scheduled Tribes                                                        |                                                                    8.53 |                                                                   11.3  |                                                                   16.35 |                                                                   29.6  |                                                                   47.1  |                                                                      59 | 71.6                                                                    | 72.1                                                                    | 73.6                                                                    |
| Gap                                                                     |                                                                   19.77 |                                                                   18.15 |                                                                   19.88 |                                                                   22.61 |                                                                   17.74 |                                                                      14 | 7.6                                                                     | 7.6                                                                     | 6.7                                                                     |

Source RGI and PLFS, MoSPI

## Gross Enrolment Ratio

Details of Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for ST students Elementary levels (I-VIII) for years 2017-87 to 2021-22 are given below.  Data on GER at primary level indicate that enrolment ratio of ST students increased  from 102.57 during 2017-18 to 103.4 during 2021-22.

Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) i/r of All categories, SC and ST for Elementary stage (I-VIII) 2017-18 to 2021-22

| Year             |   2017-18 |   2018-19 |   2019-20 |   2020-21 |   2021-22 |
|------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| All Categories   |     97.22 |     96.09 |     97.78 |     99.09 |    100.13 |
| Scheduled Tribes |    102.57 |    101.57 |    102.08 |    102.68 |    103.48 |

Source: Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+), Ministry of Education

## (ii) Status of Employment of STs

The labour force participation rate shows a steady increase in participation of ST.

Labour Force Participation  Rate (LFPR) according to usual status (ps+ss)  for Scheduled Tribes (ST) and All social groups from 2021-22 to 2023-24, all India

| Social Group   | Male           | Female         | (Figures in %) Person   |
|----------------|----------------|----------------|-------------------------|
| PLFS (2023-24) | PLFS (2023-24) | PLFS (2023-24) | PLFS (2023-24)          |
|                | 59.5           | 46.7           | ST 53.0                 |
|                | 58.2           | 31.7           | ALL 45.1                |
| PLFS (2022-23) | PLFS (2022-23) | PLFS (2022-23) | PLFS (2022-23)          |
| 59.6           |                | 43.5           | ST 51.6                 |
| 56.2           |                | 27.8           | All 42.4                |
| PLFS (2021-22) | PLFS (2021-22) | PLFS (2021-22) | PLFS (2021-22)          |
| 59.0           |                | 39.3           | ST 49.2                 |
| All            | 57.3           | 24.8           | 41.3                    |

(b) and (c): Regarding measures taken for providing education and employment in tribal areas. the programmes of Ministry of Tribal affairs (MoTA) are listed along with available information on employment opportunities to youth.

## i. Eklavya Model Residential School

The Central Sector Scheme of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) was started in the year 2018-19 to provide quality education at par with Navodaya Vidyalaya to the tribal children in their own environment. Under the new scheme, Government decided to  establish  440  EMRSs,  one  EMRS  in  every  block  having  more  than  50%  ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (as per census 2011).  As on date, 715 schools  have  been  sanctioned,  out  of  which  476  EMRSs  have  been  reported  to  be functional across the country benefiting about 1.33 lakh students. National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous body under Ministry of Tribal Affairs managing and implementing scheme of EMRS.

## ii.  Scholarship provided to Tribal Students

The  Scholarship  Division  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs implements  following  ongoing Schemes for providing scholarships to ST students in the country: -

- i. Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class IX and X)
- ii. Post Matric Scholarship for ST students. (Class XI and above)
- iii. National Scholarship for Higher Education for ST students (Top Class)
- iv. National Fellowship for ST students (NFST)
- v. National Overseas Scholarship for ST students.

## (iii)Livelihood programmes of MoTA

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs through its two agencies namely Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) & National Scheduled Tribes Finance  &  Development  Corporation  (NSTFDC)  have  contributed  significantly  in promoting economic activities including entrepreneurship among the tribal communities.

Ministry  is  implementing  the  scheme  'Pradhan  Mantri  Janjatiya  Vikas  Mission (PMJVM)'  through  TRIFED  which  envisions  to  strengthen  tribal  entrepreneurship initiatives  and  to  facilitate  livelihood  opportunities  by  promoting  more  efficient, equitable, self-managed, optimum use of natural resources, Agri / Minor Forest Produce (MFPs) / Non-farm produce. Under the scheme, financial support of INR 15.00 lakhs is provided to the State Governments for setting up of each Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) which are the centres of value addition activities of MFPs/Non-MFPs. As on 01.11.2024, 3958 VDVKs have been sanctioned. TRIFED also provides backward & forward linkages to tribal artisans / suppliers for marketing of tribal products of various categories like metal craft, textile, jewellery, painting,  cane & bamboo, terracotta & pottery,  organic  &  natural  food  products  etc.  through  online  and  offline  platforms. TRIFED  has  empaneled  4990  tribal  artisans  /  suppliers  as  on  31.07.2024  for procurement  of  tribal  products.  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.

In  addition,  TRIFED  also  organizes  and  participates  in  festivals,  melas  etc.  to provide platforms to the tribal artisans to showcase their products and connect them to the potential buyers giving thereby an opportunity to enhance their entrepreneurship activities.

National  Scheduled  Tribes  Finance  and  Development  Corporation  (NSTFDC),  a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, provides credit linkage by extending concessional loans to the eligible Scheduled Tribe persons for  undertaking  income  generation  activities/  self-employment  thereby  instilling  the spirit of entrepreneurship. The prominent schemes of NSTFDC are given as under:

a.         Term Loan Scheme: NSTFDC provides Term Loan for viable projects costing upto ₹50.00 lakh per unit. Under the scheme, financial assistance is extended upto 90% of  the  cost  of  the  project  and  the  balance  is  met  by  way  of  subsidy/  promoter contribution/ margin money.

b.         Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY): This is an exclusive scheme for economic  development  of  Scheduled  Tribes  Women.  Under  the  scheme,  NSTFDC provides loan upto 90% for projects costing upto ₹2.00 lakh at highly concessional rate of interest of 4% per annum.

c.         Micro Credit Scheme for Self Help Groups (MCF): This is an exclusive scheme for Self Help Groups for meeting small loan requirement of ST members. Under the scheme, the Corporation provides loans upto ₹50,000/- per member and maximum ₹5 Lakh per Self Help Group (SHG).

d.          Adivasi Shiksha Rrinn Yojana (ASRY): This is an education loan scheme to enable  the  ST  students  to  meet  expenditure  for  pursuing  technical  and  professional education  including  Ph.D.  in  India.  Under  this  scheme,  the  Corporation  provides financial assistance upto ₹10.00 lakh per eligible family at concessional rate of interest of 6% per annum.

During the last five years an amount of Rs. 1577.12 cr has been disbursed to 623605 beneficiaries.

Regarding (c) Data in respect of opportunities to youth is not available in a centralized manner.  The  livelihood  programmes  of  MoTA  mentioned  above  a  sizeable  portion benefits youth by strengthening entrepreneurship initiatives and livelihood opportunities.

(d): Inputs  in  respect  of  Employment  of  Opportunities  provided  to  the  tribal  youth during last 3 year in Gujarat district wise is attached as Annexures 1 & 2 .

The  Gujarat  Government  aids  students  with  stipend  as/financial  assistance  in  the following  programmes  so  that  they  may  be  able  to  complete  course  and  find employment without difficulty: -

## Annexure 1

| Beneficiaries in the Year 2023-24   | Beneficiaries in the Year 2023-24   | Beneficiaries in the Year 2023-24   | Beneficiaries in the Year 2023-24   | Beneficiaries in the Year 2023-24   | Beneficiaries in the Year 2023-24   |
|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| Project                             | Foreign Study                       | Pilot training                      | Advocate Stipend                    | Self- Employment                    | Naharikendr                         |
| DAHOD/MAHISAGAR PANCHAMHAL          | / 4                                 | 0                                   | 1                                   | 143                                 | 6                                   |
| BANASAKANTHA                        | 1                                   | 0                                   | 0                                   | 12                                  | 0                                   |
| SABARKANTHA ARAVALLI                | / 6                                 | 0                                   | 2                                   | 13                                  | 0                                   |
| CHHOTA UDEPUR                       | 9                                   | 0                                   | 0                                   | 10                                  | 0                                   |
| NARAMADA BHARUCH                    | / 4                                 | 0                                   | 3                                   | 3                                   | 1                                   |
| MANDVI                              | 16                                  | 1                                   | 3                                   | 7                                   | 1                                   |
| TAPI                                | 4                                   | 1                                   | 5                                   | 11                                  | 2                                   |
| NAVSARI / VALSAD                    | 4                                   | 0                                   | 5                                   | 8                                   | 0                                   |
| DANG                                | 0                                   | 0                                   | 0                                   | 2                                   | 2                                   |
| Total48 2                           | Total48 2                           |                                     | 19                                  | 209                                 | 12                                  |

Development support agency of Gujarat is implementing the livelihood related projects in Tribal Areas of Gujarat.

District wise details for Projects implemented by D-SAG is attached in is as below: -

Annexure 2 The data regarding the self-employment for Agriculture Diversification Project is

## as below:

| Sr. No.   | Name of the district   | Project Name                        |   2022-23 |   2023-24 |   2024-25 |
|-----------|------------------------|-------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| 1         | Banaskantha            | Agriculture Diversification Project |      3246 |      1630 |      2529 |
| 2         | Sabarkantha            | Agriculture Diversification Project |      4703 |      3853 |      5531 |
| 3         | Aravalli               | Agriculture Diversification Project |      3803 |      4254 |      3661 |
| 4         | Mahisagar              | Agriculture Diversification Project |      6617 |      2654 |      3500 |
| 5         | Godhara                | Agriculture Diversification Project |      5699 |      3780 |      3478 |
| 6         | Dahod                  | Agriculture Diversification Project |     34960 |     22170 |     24796 |
| 7         | Chhota udepur          | Agriculture Diversification Project |     16192 |      7425 |      7800 |
| 8         | Narmada                | Agriculture Diversification Project |      6102 |      2959 |      2024 |
| 9         | Bharuch                | Agriculture Diversification Project |      1920 |      1606 |      1297 |
| 10        | Surat                  | Agriculture Diversification Project |      4480 |      2484 |      2616 |
| 11        | Tapi                   | Agriculture Diversification Project |      6008 |      7763 |      5544 |
| 12        | Navsari                | Agriculture Diversification Project |      4874 |      4159 |      4133 |
| 13        | Valsad                 | Agriculture Diversification Project |      5641 |      5342 |      4370 |
| 14        | Dang                   | Agriculture Diversification Project |      2495 |      1417 |      1566 |
| Total     | Total                  | Total                               |    106740 |     71496 |     72845 |

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