(a) whether the budget allocation for the Scheduled Tribes for the financial year 2004-05
has been slashed;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) the remedial steps taken by the Government in this regard;
(d) whether some schemes for tribal development have been transferred to States; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI P.R. KYNDIAH)
(a) to (c) The Budget Allocation for various Plan/Schemes/Programmes of
Ministry for 2004-05 was Rs.1146.00 crores. However, due to a circular from the
Ministry of Finance restricting the expenditure in the last quarter of the year to 33% of
the B.E., the maximum amount that could be spent under the Budget was recalculated at
Rs.1069.45 crores. The Ministry requests the States to send proposals in time as per the
financial allocation under the respective schemes of the Ministry, so that releases are
bunched at the end of the financial year. Besides, the Ministry also convenes meetings
with the State Tribal Welfare Secretaries to speed up early submission of proposals,
complete in all respects.
(d)&(e) A decision was taken by the Planning Commission to transfer two Centrally
Sponsored Schemes for STs, namely,
(i) Boys/Girls Hostel for STs and
(ii) Establishment
of Ashram Schools for STs in Tribal Sub Plan Area, to the State Governments with effect
from 1.4.2005. The matter was taken up with the Planning Commission by the Ministry
of Tribal Affairs. The Planning Commission has now intimated that status quo ante is
maintained meaning thereby that the schemes will not be transferred.