Question : FEMALE LITERACY AMONG TRIBALS

(a) The percentage of female literacy among the tribal women in the country, State/UT-wise;

(b) The measures initiated by the Government to increase the literacy rate among the tribal women;

(c) The steps taken by the Government for the empowerment of tribal women particularly with regard to promotion of skiil development and also providing employment opportunities to such titerate/educated tribal women in the country; and

(d) The various measure taken to render better work environment to prevent exploitation at workplaces and to encourage employment of the tribal women?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA)

(a): The requisite details sought in this part of the question are given in the Annexure.

(b) &(c): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is supplementing the efforts of line ministries of the center and State/UT governments to improve the literacy rates of tribal students, including tribal girls. In this regard, the Ministry is supporting following interventions for tribal students:

I. Pre-Matric Scholarship

II. Post Matric Scholarship

III. Top Class Education

IV. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship

V. National Overseas Scholarship

VI. Vocational Training Centres

VII. Establishment of Hostels for ST boys and girls

VIII. Establishment of Ashram Schools

IX. Ekalavya Model Residential Schools

Vocation Training centers help develop the skills of the ST youth for a variety of jobs as well as self-employment and to improve their socio-economic condition by enhancing their income. Each Vocational Training Centre (VTC) under the scheme may cater to five vocational courses in traditional skills depending upon the employment potential of the area. Keeping in view the limited potential of even skilled persons in interior areas, each ST boy/girl is trained in two trades in his/her choice, the course in each trade being for duration of three months. Each trainee is to be attached at the end of six months to a master craftsman in a semi-urban/urban area for a period of six months, to learn his/her skills by practical experience. The scheme has been revised with effect from 1.4.2009 to provide enhanced financial norms and to ensure linkages of vocational courses with recognized certificate/diploma through affiliation/accreditation of courses and institutions under Modular Employable Skills and Craftsman Training Scheme by National Council of Vocational Training of Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The Ministry has also been providing funds under Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Plan and Article 275(1) for proposals to impart training to tribal youth in the fields of hospitality, teaching, nursing, para medical training, dairy development, computer training,etc. to ensure that the tribal youth, particularly the tribal girls /women, attain sufficient qualifications and enhance the local employable pool.

(d) While the National Commission for ST has been set up to look into grievances / complaints of harassment of the tribal people, State Governments are also encouraged to ensure that the welfare of the tribal people in their work place is given due diligence and implementation of Rules and Regulations laid down by legislatures and as directed by the Supreme Court in letter and spirit.