Question : VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN TRIBAL AREAS

(a) the details of the scheme of ‘Vocational Training in Tribal Areas’ to run Vocational Training Centres for Scheduled Tribes youth in the country indicating the financial assistance provided thereunder, State/UT- Wise;

(b) the number of vocational training centres, ITIs, institutes/schools presently being supported under the scheme, State/UT- Wise;

(c) the details of the proposals received by the Government from various States/ UTs and NGOs to setup such centres along with the funds sanctioned and released thereunder during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT- wise;

(d) the effectiveness of the scheme in upgrading the skills of tribal youths along with the number of ST youths benefited therefrom during the said period, State/UT-wise; and

(e) the further measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to make the scheme more effective?

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

(a): Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides assistance to the State Government/UT Administration and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) under the Central Sector Scheme of ‘Vocational Training in Tribal Areas’ to run vocational training centres for tribal students. The main aim of this scheme is to upgrade the skills of the tribal youth in various traditional/ modern vocations depending upon their educational qualification, present economic trends and the market potential. The Scheme is need based and demand driven. Funds are released to the State Governments and other agencies on receipt of complete projects which fulfill the guidelines of the scheme and are complete in all respects. The financial assistance admissible is Rs.30, 000 /- per trainee which includes monthly stipend of Rs.700/- to the trainee and Rs.1600/-per annum per trainee for raw material etc. Financial Assistance provided thereunder to State/UT-wise during last three years & current year is at Annexure-I.

(b) The details of number of Vocational Training Centres supported under the scheme during the last three years and the current year, State/UT-Wise are at Annexure- II.

(c) The receipt of proposals from the State Governments/Non Governmental Organizations for grant of funds under the scheme is an ongoing and continuous process. Funds are released only if the proposals are complete in all respects including utilization certificates and physical progress report of funds released earlier and subject to availability of funds in a particular year. Accordingly the State/UT-wise details of complete proposals against which grants have been released during the last three years and current year are available in Annexure- I.

(d) The scheme has been effective in upgrading the skill of tribal youth to a large extent. The State/UT-wise details of numbers of ST youths benefited during 2010-11 to 2013-14 are at Annexure- III.

(e): In order to make the Vocational Training Centres more effective, the scheme has been revised w.e.f. 1.4.2009. In the revised scheme (i) Financial assistance under the scheme has been enhanced (ii) instead of training in two trades, the trainee receives training in one trade of his/her choice. The training duration in extended to one year instead of six months (iii) In addition to already established Vocational Training Centres and institutions, State Govt. may also recommend training of ST candidates in private recognized institutions. Preference is given to those institutions which guarantee placement/employment after completion of training.