(a) whether the Government proposes to formulate any action plan to empower Adivasi Women in various parts of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) whether the Government has received any recommendations from the National Commission for women in this regard;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the action taken or proposed to be taken by the Government thereon?
MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI P.R. KYNDIAH)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS a to e OF LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO. 162 RAISED BY SHRIMATI KARUNA SHUKLA FOR ANSWER ON
15.03.2005 REGARDING `EMPOWERMENT OF ADIVASI WOMEN`
The National Policy for the Empowerment of Women, 2001 formulated by
the Department of Women & Child Development provides for empowerment of women, including
the Scheduled Tribe women. The Policy provides that in relation to
girls or women belonging to Scheduled Tribes, to reduce the gender gap in
secondary and higher education would be a focus area.
The Ministry also ensures empowerment of tribal people, including
tribal women through its various policies, plans, schemes and programmes.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides for a separate women component
under Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Plan and programmes
undertaken out of Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution besides
implementing an exclusive scheme of Educational Complex in low literacy
districts for education of tribal girls.
The National Scheduled Tribe Finance and Development Corporation
(NSTFDC) implements the scheme of Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY)
which provides for term loan for scheme/projects costing upto Rs.
50,000/- per unit at an interest rate of 4% to the beneficiaries.
The National Commission for Women recommends wide ranging
recommendations like abolition of `dayan pratha` in Jharkhand, review of Santhal
Pargana Tenancy Act, enhancement of literacy levels, eradication of
malnutrition and starvation, curbing naxalite activities, economic
empowerment of women, promotion of forest based industries, priority attention to
handloom and handicrafts sector, etc. The Ministry is taking action for
implementation of the recommendations through
policies/schemes/programmes to the extent within the mandate of the Ministry.