(a) whether the schemes/projects being implemented by the Government to remove the
social, economical and educational backwardness of the tribals have produced the desired
results;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the further action being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI MAHADEO SINGH KHANDELA)
(a)to(c): Ministry of Tribal Affairs, being the nodal Ministry for the overall welfare
and development of Schedule Tribes, implements programmes on education, vocational training,
income generation and infrastructure development for developing skills of the tribals for a
variety of jobs as well as for self-employment and to fill critical gaps taking into account
the needs of STs.
The primary responsibility for implementing the schemes/programmes to remove the socio,
economic and educational backwardness of the tribals rests with the Central Ministries and
the State Government. Ministry of Tribal Affairs complements the efforts by way of various
developmental interventions through its following schemes:
(i) Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Plan for employment-cum-income generation
activities.
(ii) Grant under Article 275 (1) of the Constitution of India for promotion of welfare of
Scheduled Tribes and upgradation of the levels of administration in Scheduled Areas. A part
of grant under Article 275 (1) of the Constitution is used for setting up of “Ekalavya Model
Residential Schools†for providing quality education to ST students (both girls and boys)
from class VI to XII.
(iii) Scheme of Strengthening Education among Schedules Tribe (ST) Girls in Low Literacy
Districts.
(iv) Scheme of construction of hostels for ST Girls and Boys.
(v) Scheme of Establishment of Ashram Schools in Tribal Sub Plan Areas.
(vi) Vocational Training in Tribal Areas. The Schemes of Vocational Training in Tribal
Areas is a self-employment or employment oriented scheme aimed at benefiting ST boys and
Girls equally.
(vii) Post-Matric Scholarship for ST students.
(viii) Upgradation of Merit of ST students.
(ix) Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for STs.
(x) Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship for STs.
(xi) Top class Education for ST students.
(xii) Grants-in aid to Voluntary Organization (under which residential, non-residential
schools, computer training centers and knitting, weaving & handloom training centers run
by NGOs for ST students are supported, apart from hospitals, mobile dispensaries etc.)
(xiii) This Ministry is also implementing the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest
Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 which seeks to recognize and vest forest
rights over forest land in forest dwelling STs and other traditional forest dwellers.
Implementation of the schemes/ programmes of the Government for the upliftment of tribal
people is an on- going process and endeavors are constantly being made through various such
schemes/ strategies to bridge the gaps in development of tribals as compared to that of rest
of population.