Question : FUNDS FOR SCP & TSP UNDER TENTH PLAN

(a) whether the Government have been implementing various Schemes and Programmes under Special Component Plan (SCP) & TSP (Tribal Sub Plan) since 1978 for achieving overall development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes majority of whom live below poverty line;

(b) if so, the details of new schemes and programmes such as allotment o PCO/STD/ISD Booths, Communication/Internet facility Centres for educated unemployed youth from the SCs and STs in pursuance of the constitutional directive as contained under Article 46 of the Constitution;

(c) the amount of funds proposed to be requisitioned during the Tenth Plan from the planning for such schemes/programmes; and

(d) the benefits and targets sought to be achieved under such schemes and programmes during the Tenth Five Year Plan?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)

(a) DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

The various schemes and programmes of the Department of Telecom (DOT) relate to the telecom development including modernization of the services and expansion of the existing services for the entire country. The telecom services are important infrastructural requirements for socio-economic development and provide essential connectivity among the people across the country as well as between the countries. In this respect, therefore, there is little room for developing telecom services with reference to any particular segment of our population. In view of this, there is no scope for identifying any specific development programme for SCs in the Plan schemes of the DOT. Moreover, special quantification or identification of programmes for SCs does not seem to be necessary in case of telecom services where the organisation as a whole is committed to providing connectivity to all sections of population and among different areas through a policy which provides for preferential treatment for the rural areas where majority of our SCs and other poor population reside.

However, DOT has adopted Tribal Sub Plan to take care of special requirement of tribal areas. The Tribal Sub Plan has been in operation since 5th Five Year Plan benefiting the tribals and bringing about a major of qualtitative change in the socio economic pattern of their lives.


DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

The plan programmes of the Department of Post are related to operational areas of the postal services including expansion of Postal Network, modernisation of services, provision of building for operational needs as also development of new products/services. In fact, the postal services has an important infrastructural element for socio-economic development, provides essential connectivity among the people and areas in the country. In this respect there is little room for developing postal services with reference to any particular segment of our population. In light of this, there is no scope for identify in any specific development programme either in terms of physical or financial targets for SCs in the plan schemes for the Department of Post. Moreover, special quantification or identification of the programmes does not seem to be necessary in the case of postal services where the organisation as a whole is committed to providing connectivity for all sections of population and among different areas through a policy which provides for preferential treatment for the rural areas.

The Department has, however adopted tribal sub plan approach to take care of special requirements of tribal areas. The tribal sub plan has been in operation since the fifth five year plan, benefiting the tribals and bringing about a major of qualitative change in the socio economic pattern of their lives.

(b) DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNIATIONS

Earlier the DOT has been giving preference to SC/ST in allotment of PCOs for SC/ST families. However, these are now provided on first come first served basis to all eligible applicants as in most of the places these are available on demand. These PCO booths are being converted to communication/internet facility centres by the PCO owners wherever they are able to provide the required infrastructure. DOT is extending the internet connectivity as per demand and technical feasibility to these centres.

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

The schemes which are being carried out in the tribal areas are as follows:

i)	Opening of Post offices with relax norms vis-à-vis normal areas.	ii)	Installation of Multipurpose Counter Machines	iii)	Installation of Extended Satellite Money Order stations	iv)	Computerisation of Transit Mail Offices, Registration sorting offices and	Head Record Offices	v)	Modernization of Mail offices	vi)	Upgradation of operational equipment for delivery	vii)	Construction of buildings	viii)	Purchase of Mail Motor Vehicles