MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI JASWANTSINH BHABHOR)
(a): Yes, Madam. Data pertaining to decennial census, large scale sample surveys conducted by National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) and various other surveys conducted by different Ministries/ Departments of Government of India, reveal that there have been vast improvements in socio-economic conditions of the Scheduled Tribes (STs).The percentage of STs below poverty line in rural areas has improved from 47.4 % in 2009-10 to 45.3 % in 2011-12, literacy rate for STs has improved from 47.1% in 2001 to 59% in 2011 and, Infant Mortality Rate has declined from 57.0 (2005-06) to 44.4 (2015-16).
(b): Some of the flagship schemes / programmes being implemented by the Ministry for the socio-economic development of Scheduled Tribes (STs) are as under:
1) Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS)
2) Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution
3) Scholarships schemes for ST Students:
A. Pre-Matric Scholarships to ST Students
B. Post Matric Scholarships to ST Students
C. National Overseas Scholarships
D. National fellowship & scholarship for higher education of ST students:
(i) Scholarship for Higher Education (earlier known as Top Class Education for ST Students)
(ii) Fellowship (earlier known as Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme for ST Students).
4) Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
5) Scheme of Grant-in-aid to voluntary organizations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes.
(a) Vocational Training in Tribal Areas.
(b) Scheme of Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts.
Besides, the Ministry is also implementing the scheme of Institutional support for Development and Marketing of Tribal Products / Produce and Mechanism for marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum support Price (MSP) and development of Value Chain for MFP.
Further various Central Ministries / Departments as well as State Governments are also implementing schemes / programmes for socio-economic development of STs.
(c): Schemes / programmes being implemented by the Ministry are gap filling in nature and not confined to any specific kind of quantifiable measures. Priority for the activities to be taken up is decided by respective State Governments as per needs from time to time. Fund released under various flagship schemes / programmes implemented by the Ministry during the Twelfth Five Year Plan period (2012 to 2017) is given at Annexure.
(d): The following steps are taken for the effective implementation of various schemes for the socio-economic development of tribals in the country by the Ministry:
• Mechanism of Project Appraisal Committee (PAC) has been introduced by the Ministry in 2014 for appraisal and approval of projects of State Governments under Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS), Grants under Article 275 (1) of the Constitution and Scheme for Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). The Committee is headed by Secretary (Tribal Affairs) with representatives of State Governments, Financial Advisor, representative from NITI Aayog, etc.
• Further, Allocation of Business rules (ABR) has now been amended in January, 2017 whereby Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has been given mandate for monitoring of ‘Scheduled Tribe Component’ funds of central Ministries based on the framework and mechanism designed by NITI Aayog.
• An online monitoring system has been put in place with web address stcmis.nic.in. The framework envisages monitoring of allocations for welfare of STs under the schemes, monitoring of expenditure vis-a-vis allocations, monitoring of physical performance and outcome monitoring for the effective implementation of the schemes.
• Utilization Certificates are insisted upon as a pre-requisite for further release of funds as per the norms of GFR.
• Progress reports regarding the status of implementation of schemes are obtained.
• Officers while visiting States also ascertain the progress of implementation of various schemes/ programmes of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• Meetings / Conferences are convened at the Central level with State officials for ensuring timely submission of proposals, speeding up of implementation of the schemes/ programmes, and reviewing the physical and financial progress.
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Annexure referred to in reply to part (c) of LokSabha Unstarred Question No. 431 for 5.2.2018 regarding ‘Socio-Economic Development of Scheduled Tribes’
Fund released under various schemes / programmes during 2012-13 to 2016-17
(Rs. in crore)
Name of the Schemes/Programmes 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17
Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS) 852.54 1050.00
1039.99
1132.17
1195.02
Grants under Art. 275(1) of the Constitution 819.99 1097.13 1132.64 1392.26
1265.81
Pre-Matric Scholarships to ST Students 111.73 219.43 200.71 228.69 84.17
Post Matric Scholarships to ST Students 730.74 736.15 720.98 857.15 1555.67
Scheme for the Development of PVTGs 178.50 206.90 180 213.54 340.00
Grant-in-Aid to voluntary Organizations Working for the Welfare of STs 18.09 40.00 44.50 21.75 53.06
Strengthening Education of ST Girls in low literacy Districts 7.41 40.30 35.00 53.30 65.45
Vocational Training in Tribal Areas 1.68 2.71 2.70 - 1.49
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