MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA)
(a) & (b): As per information received from Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami have not affected the way of life of tribals in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
(c): Developmental activities are undertaken in tribal areas of Andaman & Nicobar Islands keeping in mind tribal values and traditions and ensuring their preservation.
(d): The Andaman & Nicobar Administration for the welfare and development of the tribals in these islands has taken the following initiatives
1) Approx 3279.285 Sq Kms of total geographical area of A&N Islands has been declared as Tribal Reserve Area under the A&N Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956 as amended from time to time wherein they enjoy unfettered right for meeting their requirement of sustenance.
2) Tribal reserve has been notified for all Scheduled Tribes. Transfer, acquisition of land in tribal reserve prohibited. Entry of non-tribal in tribal reserve banned. Administration is strictly implementing the A&N Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956 and SCs & STs (POA) Act for the safety and protection of tribes of A&N Islands. Policy on Jarawa Tribe and Shompen Policy are also being implemented for the welfare and well being of Jarawa & Shompen Tribes.
3) The Administration in the year 1976 (25.03.1976) has constituted and registered Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS) under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 to
a. Protect and preserve Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
b. Promote social, economic and cultural interests of PVTGs.
c. Conduct Research Studies to identify specific issues of PVTGs and formulate policies & programmes
d. Protect health and prevent extinction of PVTGs.
4) AAJVS provides free ration and clothes to the Onges & Andamanese and has also created amenities for supply of potable water, free ration, medical care, education, protection, communication through police wireless and provided infrastructure as Community Hall, houses, footpath, jetty for berthing of the boats, helipad etc in the tribal settlements for these tribal groups. The Administration also provides fishing kits, iron tools and other implements to the PVTGs. The Jarawas, Sentinlese and Shompens, however, live in their traditional huts made from local materials.
5) The A&N Administration through AAJVS extends all financial support to the tribal students of Onge and Andamanese communities for their education at the primary, middle and higher secondary levels. Exclusive middle level schools have been established in the tribal settlements for Onges at Dugong Creek, Little Andaman and for Andamanese at Strait Islands. Informal education system has been introduced amongst the Jarawa tribes through bilingual bicultural curriculum developed by ANTRI and AAJVS.
6) The Administration is providing scholarships to the STs students for pursuing their studies at various levels. An MoU has also been executed with Manidha Naeyam Free IAS, IPS Academy, a charitable trust located at CIT Nagar at Chennai, for preparing aspirants belonging to Nicobarese tribe for Civil Services Examination, the expenditure of which is being borne by the Administration through the Integrated Tribal Development Agency headed by Deputy Commissioner (Nicobar).
7) One District Hospital, I CHC, 4 PHCs, 33 Sub Centres have been established to serve tribal population of 28530. Special wards for Particularly Vulnerable tribal have been constructed. The Administration, through AAJVS, extends health and other calibrated amenities preferably in-situ to the tribals. Tribals requiring Super Speciality Medical Services are referred to mainland hospitals on govt cost.
8) There is 8% reservation in Group C posts for the Scheduled Tribes of this UT. There are 1208 STs in Govt jobs (Nicobarese-1179, Great Andamanese-22 & Onges-07)
9) Autonomy has been extended to the Nicobari tribes. The Nicobari tribes represented by Seven (07) Tribal Councils are consulted by the Administration in preparation of the District Plans. Their inputs regarding developmental activities required to be taken in their respective areas are given due priority while formulating District & Departmental Plans.
10) Tribal sub-plan is implementing as a part of UT Plan for the socio-economic development of tribal and tribal areas. Flow of funds to TSP is 8% which is equal to the tribal population percentage. As many as 26 sub sectors are involved in implementing TSP. Centrally Sponsored/ Central sector Schemes are also being implemented for the welfare of STs.
11) The literacy rate of ST population is 76 (2011 Census), which was only 67% as per 2001 Census showing an increase of 9%. The literacy rate amongst male & female is 80.9% and 69.9% respectively. The number of School-going STs Students is 5942 (M 3080 + F 2862) and ST Teachers is 415 (M 181 + F 234).
12) The A&N Administration has set up A&N Tribal Research & Training Institute (ANTRI) and made functional. The objectives of the ANTRI is to provide input to direct a research led welfare policy, work in partnership with indigenous communities, act as clearing house for research proposals and collect conserve, preserve document, analyse & makes accessible, set up tribal museum and give training. A Research Advisory Board (RAB) with Anthropologists as members has been constituted to advise the Administration regarding the functioning of ANTRI and to oversee the research activities of ANTRI and provide strategic inputs.
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