New Guidelines Issued on Grants Under Tribal Sub-Plan

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has issued “Operational Guidelines for Formulation, Implementation and Monitoring of Tribal Sub-Plan and Article 275(1) grants” in the month of March, 2014 for effective implementation of schemes administered by this Ministry wherein issues related to allocation of funds, priority areas, need for nodal Department in States, judicious utilization of TSP fund, institutionalizing the instruments for ensuring transparency, accountability and social audit have been suitably taken care of. The operational guidelines have laid special emphasis on strengthening of institutions viz. Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA)/ Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP), Tribal Research Institutions (TRIs) through which tribal welfare programmes are implemented in the State.

Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDPs) / Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) are institutions specifically created for delivery of goods and services to Scheduled Areas and Schedules Tribes. They access various schemes / programmes of Central and State Government. There are 195 Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDPs) / Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) in the country spread over 17 States viz. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerela, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Orissa, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and two Union Territories viz. Andaman & Nicobar Island and Daman & Diu.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Planning Commission have been constantly pursuing with the State Governments and the Central Ministries/Departments concerned for utilization of Tribal Sup Plan (TSP) funds commensurate to the agreed objectives translating into tangible outcomes.

The Planning Commission has revised Guidelines for implementation of TSP by States /UTs on 18th June 2014. The Guidelines, inter alia, stipulates for non-diversion of funds meant for tribal areas and comprehensive monitoring framework with well-defined indicators, covering provisioning, service delivery standards as well as outcomes.

This information was given today by Minister of State in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Shri Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava in reply to written question in Lok Sabha.

MP:SS (guidelines) lok 18-07-2014