MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI JUAL ORAM)
(a) to (e): A Statement is laid down on the Table of the House.
Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (e) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *348 for 27.03.2017 regarding “Facilities to Tribals”
(a): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs being the nodal Ministry for overall policy, planning and coordination of programmes for development of Scheduled Tribes administers various schemes for their welfare. The details are given in Annex-I.
(b): The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is an apex organization set up exclusively for economic development of Scheduled Tribes. NSTFDC was incorporated as a Govt Company and granted license, not for profit, under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 (now Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013).
NSTFDC extends financial assistance at concessional rates of interest to Scheduled Tribes for undertaking income generation activities. NSTFDC financial assistance is provided through State Channelizing Agencies, certain Public Sector/ Co-op Banks, Regional Rural Banks and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi) having refinance agreement with NSTFDC.
(c): As per Census 2011 the population of the Scheduled Tribes in the country is 10.45 crore, constituting 8.6% of the total population of the country. Further, as per the National Sample Survey (NSS) Report No.571: Household Ownership and Operational Holdings in India, the highest percentage of Scheduled Tribes Households belong to the category of self-employed in cultivation (50.95%). Majority of the Scheduled Tribes Households belong to the marginal category of land holdings. This factor along with the fact that the Scheduled Tribes population is largely located in remote and difficult terrain leads them to practice shifting cultivation.
(d): The Ministry has come out with various interventions to help Tribals in adopting modern technology/ methods of cultivation. Funds are allocated under Article 275(1) of the Constitution to help tribals in adopting modern technology/methods of cultivation. During 2016-17, grants were sanctioned to various State Governments for the use of drip irrigation, other modern techniques in water conservation, promotion of millets, farm mechanization, vertical cropping system, setting up nurseries of fruits, flowers and vegetables including Polyhouse and greenhouse farming, etc.
The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) has been undertaking training to the tribals by introducing good and scientific practices of cultivation, collection, storage, processing, etc for Minor Forest Produce, which can facilitate incremental income to the tribals.
(e): During 2016-17, grants were sanctioned under Article 275(1) to various State Governments for skill development and self-employment of the STs through various income generating schemes such as Quality Skill Training Programme in different fields like office management, mushroom cultivation, motor driving, solar technician, beautician & skin care training, handicraft, boutique development, electrician, mobile repairing, horticulture, fisheries, poultry, pig rearing, goat rearing, milk cans, modern testing lab equipment for dairy and automatic milk collection units, computer training, Plastics Engineering and Technology through CIPET, security & surveillance, automobile mechanic, driver heavy equipment operation, apparel & garment, pashmina, construction through ATDC, AC/ refrigerator repair & maintenance, CC-TV installation, hospitality & retail sector, tourist guide etc.
The NSTFDC implements following schemes for self-employment of Scheduled Tribes who are unemployed or underemployed:
• Term Loan scheme: NSTFDC provides Term Loan for any income generation scheme costing upto Rs 25.00 lakhs per unit. The financial assistance is extended upto 90% of the cost of the scheme and the balance is met by way of subsidy/ promoter’s contribution/ margin money. The interest rate chargeable is 6% p.a. for loan upto Rs 5 lakhs, 8% p.a. for loans ranging between Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs and 10% p.a. for loan exceeding Rs 10 lakhs on the entire amount of loan.
• Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY): Under the scheme, Scheduled Tribes women can undertake any income generation activity. Loans upto 90% for scheme costing upto Rs 1 lakh are provided at a concessional rate of interest of 4% p.a.
• Micro Credit Scheme for Self Help Groups: The Corporation provides loans upto Rs 50,000/- per member and Rs 5 Lakhs per Self Help Group (SHG). The interest rate chargeable is 6% p.a.
• Adivasi Shiksha Rrinn Yojana: Under this scheme, financial assistance upto Rs 5.00 lakh at concessional rate of interest of 6% per annum is provided to ST students for pursuing professional/ technical education including Ph D in India. Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India provides interest subsidy for this scheme, whereby, no interest is payable by a student during the course period and one year or six months after getting the job, as the case may be. There is also a provision for providing further concessional finance for undertaking any income generation activity after completion of studies.
• Tribal Forest Dwellers Empowerment Scheme: Under the scheme, NSTFDC provides financial assistance to Scheduled Tribes given land rights under Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. Loan upto 90% of the scheme costing upto Rs 1 lakh can be provided at interest rate of 6% p.a.
TRIFED has been implementing Schemes of (a) “Marketing development of tribal products” under Grant-in-Aid Scheme and (b) “Mechanism for marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and development of Value Chain for MFP Scheme” of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to promote marketing of tribal products of the tribal communities of the country for their socio-economic development. The details of the various activities is given at Annex-II.
Annex-I
Statement in reply to part (a) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.*348 for 27.03.2017 regarding “Facilities to Tribals” by Shri Jitendra Chaudhury and Shri Harish Meena
1. Under the programme of Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India, block grants are released to 27 States depending on the felt needs of ST population to bridge the gap in sectors like education, health, agriculture and other income generating schemes etc. Grants are also sanctioned for setting up of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) for quality education of ST students under this programme.
2. The various other schemes administered by the Ministry are as under:
(i) Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Plan (SCA to TSP): Under the programme, funds are released to 23 States for development and welfare of tribal people. Funds are released to States based on proposals received from the States Governments depending on the felt needs of ST population to bridge the gap in infrastructure activities in sectors like education, health and agriculture, Skill Development, Employment-cum-Income Generation etc.
(ii) Scheme of Girls & Boys Hostels for STs: Under the scheme, Central assistance is given to States/UTs/Universities for construction of new hostel buildings and/or extension of existing hostels. State Governments are eligible for 100% central share for construction of all Girls’ hostel and also for construction of Boys’ hostel in naxal affected areas (identified by Ministry of Home Affairs from time to time). The funding pattern for the other Boys’ Hostel to State Governments is on 50:50 basis. In case of UTs, the Central Government bears the entire cost of construction of both Boys’ and Girls’ hostels.
(iii) Scheme of Ashram Schools in Tribal Sub-Plan Area: The objective of the scheme is to provide residential schools for STs in an environment conducive to learning to increase the literacy rate among the tribal students and to bring them at par with others. State Governments are eligible for 100% central share for construction of all Girls’ Ashram Schools and also for construction of Boys’ Ashram Schools in naxal affected areas (identified by Ministry of Home Affairs from time to time). The funding pattern for the other Boys’ Ashram Schools is on 50:50 basis, while cent percent assistance is given to UTs for construction of both Girls and Boys’ Ashram Schools. The scheme covers primary, middle, secondary and senior secondary level of education.
(iv) Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme (PMS): The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to the Scheduled Tribe students studying at post-matriculation or post-secondary levels to enable them to complete their education.
(v) Book Bank: Many ST students selected in professional courses find it difficult to continue their education for want of books on their subjects as they are expensive. In order to reduce dropout rate of ST students from professional institutes/universities, funds are provided for purchase of books under this scheme.
(vi) National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for Higher Studies Abroad: The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to students selected for pursuing higher studies abroad for Post-Graduation, Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral research programmes and to increase their employability for socio-economic development.
(vii) National Fellowship for ST Students: The objective of the scheme is to provide fellowships in the form fof financial assistance to students belonging to the Scheduled Tribes to pursue higher studies such as M.Phil. and Ph.D.
(viii) Top Class Education for ST Students: The objective of the scheme is to encourage meritorious ST students for pursuing studies at degree and post degree level in any of the selected list of institutes, in which the scholarship scheme is operative.
(ix) Pre-Matric Scholarship for needy ST Students studying in Classes IX and X: The objectives of the scheme are to: (i) support parents of ST students for education of their wards studying in Classes IX and X so that the incidence of dropout, especially in transition from the elementary to secondary and during secondary stage of education, is minimized; and (ii) improve participation of ST students in Classes IX and X of Pre-Matric stage, so that they perform well and have a better chance of progressing to Post-Matric stages of education.
(x) Scheme of Vocational Training in Tribal Areas: The scheme covers all the States and Union Territories. Each Vocational Training Centre (VTC) under the scheme may cater to five vocational courses in traditional skills depending upon the employment potential of the area. Keeping in view the limited potential of even skilled persons in interior areas, each ST boy/girl in trained in two trades in his/her choice, the course in each trade being for duration of three months. Each trainee is to be attached at the end of six months to a master craftsman in a semi-urban/urban area for a period of six months, to learn his/her skills by practical experience.
(xi) Grant-in-aid to Voluntary Organizations working for the Welfare of Scheduled Tribes: The Scheme was launched in 1953-54 and was last revised w.e.f. 1st April 2008. The prime objective of the scheme is to enhance the reach of welfare schemes of Government and fill the gaps in service deficient tribal areas, in the sectors such as education, health, drinking water, agro-horticultural productivity, social security net etc. through the efforts of voluntary organizations, and to provide favourable environment for socio-economic upliftment and overall development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs). Any other innovative activity having direct positive impact on the socio-economic development or livelihood generation of STs may also be considered through voluntary efforts. The scheme is Central Sector Scheme. The grants are provided to the non-governmental organizations on application, in a prescribed format, duly recommended by the multi-disciplinary State Level Committee of the concerned State Government/UT Administration. Funds are generally provided to the extent of 90% by the Government. The voluntary organization is expected to bear the remaining 10% balance from its own resources.
(xii) Strengthening Education of ST Girls in low Literacy Districts: The scheme aims to bridge the gap in literacy levels between the general female population and tribal women, in the identified districts or blocks, more particularly in naxal affected areas and in areas inhabited by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), by creating the required ambience for education for ST girls. The scheme lays emphasis on providing hostel facilities to enable the ST girls to attend regular schools and wherever schools are not available within 5 kilometer distance, both schooling and hostel facilities are provided.
(xiii) Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs): The scheme covers 75 identified Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups and enables every State to focus on developmental activity for PVTGs viz., housing, land distribution, land development, agricultural growth, cattle development, connectivity, installation of non-conventional sources of energy for lighting purpose, social security or any other innovative activity meant for the comprehensive socio-economic development of PVTGs.
Annex-II
Statement in reply to part (e) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.*348 for 27.03.2017 regarding “Facilities to Tribals” by Shri Jitendra Chaudhury and Shri Harish Meena
A. Retail Marketing Development Activity:
TRIFED has been marketing tribal products through its own shops called “Tribes India” & through the outlets of the state emporia on consignment basis. TRIFED started with the single Tribes India Outlet in New Delhi in the year 1999 and as on 20.03.2017, it has 3 own outlets and 13 outlets on consignment basis located all over India. TRIFED is striving to provide economic benefits to a large number of this unorganized section of the Society.
1 Sourcing:
TRIFED has developed a system of sourcing products made by empanelled tribal suppliers. The suppliers comprise of individual tribal artisans, tribal SHGs, Organizations/ Agencies/ NGOs working with tribals, who are empanelled as suppliers of TRIFED as per the guidelines for empanelment of suppliers, which is available on TRIFED website i.e., www.tribesindia.com. This is a onetime process and once the supplier is empanelled with any of Regional Offices of TRIFED, the samples collected from the supplier are forwarded to Purchase and Pricing Committee at Head Office for approval. After the product is approved, indents are placed by the Regional Offices for supply of the same.
2 Product Categories:
? Metal Craft
? Tribal Textiles
? Tribal Jewellery
? Tribal painting
? Cane & Bamboo
? Terracotta & Stone Pottery
? Gift and Novelties &
? Organic and Natural Food Products
3 Networking with State Level Organization/ Agencies working with tribals:
TRIFED has already initiated this exercise and made institutional arrangements with handicraft development organizations in North East, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, NEHHDC, JHARCRAFT etc for sourcing of various tribal products. The networking with other Govt. Departments/Agencies engaged in Capacity building of tribal groups of Handicrafts is being further expanded so that access to tribal areas can be increased. Emphasis is laid on convergence with like-minded Agencies, seeking alliances and forging partnerships for optimization of resources.
4. Organizing Tribal artisan Mela (TAM)
In order to increase the number of tribal suppliers and associate them with our Retail Operation, TRIFED has initiated a concept of organizing Tribal Artisan Mela (TAM) at District/ Tehsil level as an exercise to reach tribals located interior tribal areas and source tribal art and craft directly from the tribal from the tribal artisans/group of artisans. Under this initiative, TRIFED in association with State Govt/ Organisations invites Tribal Artisans to an exhibition area where they display their art and craft items. TRIFED depute its merchandising team to these Melas to identify the new artisans and new products which can be marketed through its outlets. This initiative not only helps in sourcing tribal art and craft in its original form but also helps in spreading message about TRIFED’s activities and ways and means for a tribal to avail the benefits of TRIFED’s activities.
5 Sale:
TRIFED’s efforts for market development of tribal products envisage enhancing income of tribals by way of providing marketing support for the various products they produce. TRIFED markets these tribal products through its Outlets and exhibitions. The idea is to provide opportunities to the tribal artisans to market their products on a sustained basis.
6 Exhibitions:
TRIFED has also been organizing and participating in exhibitions marketing and promotion of tribal products, the brief of which are given below:
o “Aadishilp” – TRIFED has been organizing National Tribal Craft Expo by the name of Aadishilp, in which individual tribal artisans, tribal SHGs, Agencies/Organizations working with tribals are invited to participate and showcase their rich tribal heritage. The main objective in holding these events is to provide an opportunity to tribal artisans to interact directly with art lovers for getting their feedback about their taste and preferences, which helps them in modifying their product designs and creations accordingly. The event also at times includes tribal dance performances, which is an attempt to present tribal art and culture in holistic manner.
o “Aadichitra” – TRIFED has started an exhibition by the name of Aadichitra since 2010, in which tribal paintings only like Gond from Madhya Pradesh, Saora from Orissa, Warli from Maharashtra and Pithora paintings from Gujarat, are exclusively displayed and sold. The tribal artists are also invited to demonstrate their skills during such exhibitions. The Aadichitra events receive appreciations from all quarters.
o OCTAVE - TRIFED also participates in the OCTAVE - a dance festival of North Eastern Region. TRIFED is associated with this event since 2008-09. TRIFED organizes participation of artisan from North Eastern region and provide them the opportunity to showcase and market their products.
o TRIFED participates in various exhibitions all over the country for marketing and promotion tribal products.
o TRIFED participates in international exhibitions/trade fairs through Export Promotion Council For Handicrafts (EPCH) and India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) in various countries for display and sale of tribal products sourced from tribal artisans.
B. Handicraft Skill Development Activity:
TRIFED had/has been undertaking handicraft development trainings for tribal artisans in 5 modules which are as under:
• Primary Level Training (PLT) - Aimed for fresh batch of 20 tribal artisans in which training on basic techniques of craft imparted to equip them for producing the craft. The duration of the program is 3 months. This training module was in operation up to 2012-13.
• Advance Level Training (ALT) - This training was meant for those tribal artisans who perform well in the PLT and show potential of becoming craftsperson of a better quality, whose craftsmanship was honed by design and technology inputs through a Reinforcement Training for 15 artisans for a period of 45 days. This training program has been discontinued since 2014-15 after introduction of Comprehensive Training Program (CTP) in 2013-14.
• Comprehensive Training Program in Handicraft (CTP) - Revision of the Training programs was undertaken during the year 2013-14 and a new module of training program was inducted by merging the above two training programs, which aimed at honing the skill of the semi-skilled tribal artisans to capacitate them for manufacturing quality craft items to be competitive in the market. This training program is for a Batch of 20 trainees with duration of 90 days with a view to upgrade their skill through design and technical inputs to enhance the marketability of their handicraft products and empower them for entrepreneurship development.
• Design Workshop Training (DWT) for a Batch of 20 Artisans, who are already supplier to TRIFED, in 21 days with a view to hone their skill through design input on the basis of the Market feedback to enhance the quality and marketability of their products.
• Training of Trainers (ToT) which aims at creating a pool of Master Craftsperson out of those expert artisans, who will carry the craft and technology to those artisans whose skill need upgradation. The duration and the batch size vary as per the nature of the craft and availability of training resource.
• Besides above, TRIFED has initiated a new concept of Product development programmes (PDPs) during the financial year 2016-17 for development of new products from the empanelled tribal artisans and artisans trained by TRIFED.
C. MFP Development Activities:
The MFP development activities of TRIFED included followings:
1. MFP Development training activities: TRIFED acts as a facilitator and service
provider for marketing development of MFPs. TRIFED within the given budget and mandate empowers the tribal beneficiaries by improving their skill so that they can improve their income. TRIFED, as part of its marketing development activities for minor forest produce is engaged in skill up gradation and capacity building of MFP gatherers with the objective of improving their income by way of organizing training on non-destructive harvesting, primary processing, value addition and marketing of selected MFPs like Mahua Flower, Lac, Donna Pattal, Hill Grass, Tamarind, Amla, Honey, Gum Karaya, Bamboo. The training process includes imparting training to beneficiaries about scientific collection, harvesting, storage, grading techniques etc. so that beneficiaries are able to harvest higher quantities and better quality items on sustainable basis in an eco friendly manner, conversion of the produce into marketable products and providing them with simple tool kits to undertake production also wherever required. Inputs are also provided for developing marketing linkages.
2. Implementation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce (MFP): The Government of India through Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched a new scheme called “Mechanism for marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and development of Value Chain for MFP” during 2013-14 to ensure fair returns to the forest dwellers for the produce collected by them from the forests. The Scheme has been designed as a social safety net for improvement of livelihood of MFP gatherers by providing them fair price for the MFPs they collect. The Scheme envisages providing Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the selected MFPs based on the recommendation of Pricing Cell and declaration of MSP for selected MFPs by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Procurement operation at the notified MSP is undertaken by the designated State Implementing Agencies. As per the Scheme, the Central Government provides funds to the State Agencies for procuring MFPs and for developing necessary infrastructure in initial two years and also share losses, if any, in the ratio of 75:25. The Scheme also addresses other medium & long term issues like sustainable collection, value addition, market infrastructure development, knowledge base expansion of MFPs, market intelligence development, strengthening the bargaining power of Gram Sabha/ Panchayat through appropriate mechanisms.
The total budget outlay of the scheme is Rs 967.28 crore for the period 2013-17. Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India is the Nodal and Administrative Ministry for operationalizing the scheme. TRIFED has been entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the scheme through State agencies. Other details of the scheme are as follows:-
2.1 Fixation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) : On the recommendation of Pricing Cell constituted for fixation of MSP, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India announces the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for different MFPs :
(i) Mechanism:
• Fixation of MSP for the selected MFPs by Ministry of Tribal Affairs based on the recommendation of a Pricing Cell.
• Procurement and marketing operation by State procurement agencies at the pre fixed MSP for which “Revolving Fund” is provided by Government of India.
• Creation of infrastructural facilities by State Agencies with the financial support from Govt. of India.
• Reimbursement of losses if any to State Agencies to the extent of 75% by Government of India.
• Govt. of India provides 75% of the financial support to State Agencies for different activities under the scheme.
(ii) Minimum Support Price declared :
a) Minimum Support Price (MSP) upto 30/10/2016 applicable to PESA States (Except HP) namely Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra , Odisha and Rajasthan
Sl No. MFP Items Price per kg in Rs.
01. Tamarind (With seed) 22/-
02. Honey 132/-
03. Gum Karaya 108/-
04. Karanj Seed 21/-
05. Sal Seed 10/-.
06. Mahuwa Seed 22/-
07. Sal Leaves 21/-
08. Chironjee Pods
with seeds 100/-
09. Myrobalan 11/-
10. Lac
(a) Rangeeni 230/-
(b) Kusumi 320/-
b) Minimum Support Price (MSP) applicable to all states w.e.f. 31.10.2016
Sl No. MFP Items Price per kg in Rs.
01. Tamarind (With seed) 18/-
02. Honey 150/-
03. Gum Karaya 108/-
04. Karanj Seed 18/-
05. Sal Seed 10/-.
06. Mahuwa Seed 20/-
07. Sal Leaves 21/-
08. Chironjee Pods with seeds 60/-
09. Myrobalan 8/-
10. Lac
(a) Rangeeni 100/-
(b) Kusumi 150/-
11 Kusum Seed 10/-
12 Neem Seed 12/-
13 Puwad Seed/Chakramard 8/-
14 Baheda 15/-
15 Hill Broom Grass 10/-
16 Shikakai 30/-
17 Guggul(exduate) 700/-
18 Bael (dried & without crust) 15/-
19 Nagarmotha 25/-
20 Palash/Keshu Flower 8/-
21 Shatavari(dried) 40/-
22 Madhunashini 35/-
23 Kalmegh 15/-
24 Tamarind (de-seeded) 40/-
N.B.: Items number 11 to 24 have been added in MSP list w.e.f. 31/10/2016
D. Research and Development: R&D initiatives are long term investments and are undertaken to find new uses so that markets for MFPs expands. The main objective for initiation of the R&D project on NTFPs by TRIFED is Research and development of an innovative low cost process/ technology for optimum utilization of the available NTFPs; development of tools, implements, methodologies, processes etc. which result in increased harvesting and collection of Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFPs) on a sustainable basis; development of appropriate technologies for post harvest management of NTFPs concerning sorting, grading, cleaning, dusting, scientific storage, preliminary primary level processing for increasing shelf life /value addition, reducing wastage etc. TRIFED has also been doing R&D activities on MFPs to develop value added products, innovative process & cost effective technology which will benefit the tribals by way of higher income earning, entrepreneurship development etc. in the tribal arrears. The products, processes developed through R&D are being patented and demonstrated to enable the tribal people having intellectual Property Rights of the invented products.
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