Question : SCHEMES FOR WELFARE OF TRIBALS

(a) the schemes-wise details of funds allocated and utilized by each State including West Bengal for welfare of the tribals in various fields during each of the last three years:

(b) the extent of benefit derived by the tribals in such States therefrom, scheme-wise:

(c) whether requests for increase in the funds for such schemes have been received by the Union Government: and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon?

MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)

(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

Statement referred to in reply to part (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Admitted Starred Question No. 619 for answer on 07.05.2010 regarding “Schemes for Welfare of Tribals”.

(a): Funds are Allocated under the special area programmes of Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Plan (SCA to TSP) and grant under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India. The allocation is broadly done based on the population and tribal areas in the concerned State and in accordance with the guidelines. Funds released to various States and utilization reported by them under these programmes is at Annex-I and II. Other schemes of the Ministry are need based and demand driven.

(b): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs releases funds to the State Governments for the development and welfare of STs which supplements the efforts of Central Ministries/ Department and State Governments. Priority of activities under various development/ welfare schemes are fixed and executed by the State Governments depending on the felt needs of the local areas and its people. Segregation of extent of benefit derived by the tribals under various schemes is not possible as these are implemented in conjunction with other schemes of the Central Ministries/ Departments and State Governments. Accordingly quantification of outcome of such nature is not maintained in the Ministry.

(c) & (d): The request from State Governments for enhancing the release of funds is an ongoing process. The Ministry allocates and releases funds as per the norms laid down in the guidelines. However such releases get enhanced with the increase in the budgetary support.