Question : SCHEMES PROGRAMMES FOR SCHEDULED TRIBES ST

(a) the details of schemes/programmes being implemented by the Government for the development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) along with the funds allocated/ released and utilized thereunder during each of the last three years and the current year, Scheme-wise and State/UT-wise;

(b) the details of targets fixed and achievements made thereunder, scheme-wise;

(c) whether the Government has taken note of miserable conditions of tribals in the country, causing them to survive by eating roots of trees and wild weeds- plants; and

(d) if so, the corrective measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for their upliftment, to provide them alternate livelihood in view of shrinking forest areas and to increase their per capita income at par with the national average?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SMT. RANEE NARAH)

(a) & (b): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing Special Area Programmes/ Central Sector/Centrally Sponsored Schemes for the socio-economic development of Scheduled Tribes in the country. The projects for the development of Scheduled Tribes under the schemes/programmes of the Ministry are implemented through the State/UT Governments and Non-Governmental Organisations(NGOs). Details of the schemes/programmes of the Ministry are at Annex-I. Scheme-wise and State-wise details of fund released and target achieved during the last three year & current year is given in the Annex-II.

(c) to (d) : No specific incident of tribals surviving by eating roots of trees and wild weeds/plants have been reported to this Ministry. However, main objective of the schemes/ programmes administered by the Government of India and those implemented by State/UT Governments, is their socio-economic development including education. Accordingly, access to education enables them to explore alternative livelihoods. Implementation of the schemes/ programmes of the Governments for the upliftment of tribal people is an on-going process.