Lok Sabha Question No. 579 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-28
Subject: Upliftment of Tribals
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Kirsan Namdeo

579. Dr. Kirsan Namdeo:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Union Government proposes to prepare any special action plan for the education and welfare of tribal people so as to bring them and the tribal areas of the country into mainstream;

- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-579

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.11.2024

## UPLIFTMENT OF TRIBALS

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) : 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).  288  EMRS  schools  were  initially  funded  under  Grants  under  Article  275(1)  of  the Constitution, which are being upgraded as per the new model. Accordingly, Ministry has set the target to set up total of 728 EMRSs benefiting around 3.5 lakh ST students across the country.  As on date, 715 schools have been sanctioned, out of which 476 EMRSs have been reported to be functional across the country benefiting about 1,33,929 students covering 264 districts in 28 States/UTs.

Further, Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing following Scholarship Schemes to promote and encourage basic and higher education amongst ST population:-

- i)    Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students ( For Class IX and X):
2. ii)   Post Matric Scholarship for ST students ( For Class XI and above):
3. iii)  National  Scholarship  Scheme for Higher Education of ST Students (earlier known as Top Class Scholarship Scheme): Scholarship is provided for pursuing Graduate/Post Graduate courses in the 265 top-class Government and Non-Government Institutes in professional fields such as Management, Medicine, Engineering, Information Technology, Law etc.

iv. National Fellowship Scheme for Higher Education of ST Students:  Scholarship to meritorious ST students for pursuing M.Phil or Ph.D in India v)  National  Overseas  Scholarship  for  ST  students:  Scholarships  are  given  to  the  meritorious Schedule Tribe (ST) students for pursuing higher education abroad.

In  addition  to  the  above  scheme Dharti  Aaba  Janjatiya  Gram  Utkarsh  Abhiyan  (DAJGUA)  a scheme with total outlay of Rs.79,156 crores (Central Share: Rs.56,333 crore and State Share: Rs. 22,823 crore) was also launched on 2 nd  October 2024 by Government. The Abhiyan will cover around 63,843 villages benefiting more than 5 crore tribal people in 549 districts and 2,911 blocks spread across  all  tribal  majority  villages  and  aspirational  blocks  in  30  States/UTs.   DAJGUA envisions saturation of critical gaps in social infrastructure including education sector. Under the Scheme Dept of School Education,Ministry of Education Govt of India will be constructing 1000 hostels for tribal children to facilitate access to education. Additionally under DAJGUA MoTA will support states with central assistance for upgradation of infrastructure of Ashram schools being run by State Governments for Tribal children.

Further  ,  Samagra  Shiksha,  an  overarching  programme  for  the  school  education  is  being implemented by Dept of School Education, Ministry of Education Government of India  with a total financial outlay of Rs.2,94,283.04crore which includes a Central share of Rs.1,85,398.32 crore.( 2021-2026) which has a special thrust on  Bridging Social and Gender Gaps in School Education. The scheme also focuses on the identified Special Focus Districts (SFDs) on the basis of adverse performance on various indicators of enrolment, retention, and gender parity, as well as concentration of SC, ST and minority communities. A total of 109 ST SFDs, having population of more than 25% and above ST population have been identified.

Further in Navaodaya Vidyalya Society, an autonomous body under Ministry of Education, there are 10 Special Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas for Scheduled Tribe (ST) concentrated districts of the country There is provision of Reservation for SC & STs as per actual population in the district concerned  subject  to  a  minimum  of  national  average.  As  on  31.03.2024.Total 58,536 ST students have been reported to be on the roll of NVS.

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