(a) whether any survey has been conducted to gauge the current economic, educational and social conditions of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the country;
(b) if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and
(c) the fresh steps taken/being taken by the Government to improve the economic, educational and social conditions of STs in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA)
(a) & (b): In so far as Ministry of Tribal Affairs is concerned, no specific survey has been conducted to gauge the current economic, educational and social conditions of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the country.
(c): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is running following programmes/schemes to improve the economic, educational and social conditions of STs in the country.
(i) Scheme of Construction of Hostels for ST Girls and Boys
(ii) Scheme of Establishment of Ashram School in Tribal Sub-Plan Areas
(iii) Post-Matric Scholarship for ST students (iv)Upgradation of Merit
(v) Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students studying in classes IX & X.
(vi) Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for STs (vii)Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship for STs (viii)Top Class Education for ST students
(ix) Grants in aid to Voluntary Organisations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes
(x) Coaching for Scheduled Tribes (xi) Strengthening Education among Scheduled Tribe Girls in Low Literacy Districts (xii) Vocational Training in Tribal Areas
(xiii) Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
(xiv) Grants-in-Aid to STDCCs for MFP Operations (xv) Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP as a measure of social safety for MFP gatherers.
(xvi) Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India
(xvii) Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Plan (SCA to TSP)
(xviii) Development of Tribal Products/Produce (Grants in aid to Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED)
(xix) A new Scheme called Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana has been proposed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Rs.100.00 crore (Rupees Hundred Crore) have been allocated under the scheme for the year 2014-15.