Question : Welfare Programmes for Tribals

(a) the details of the welfare schemes/programmes under implementation for the development of tribals and the number of beneficiaries availing benefit under these schemes;
(b) whether the Government has any mechanism to monitor the implementation of these schemes and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the budgetary allocation made and utilization of funds, during the last three years, Scheme/programme-wise and year-wise;
(d) whether the Government has received complaints of misuse of the funds allocated under these schemes and if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(e) the action taken by the Government thereon?

MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI JUAL ORAM)

A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.


Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (e) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No.*81 for answer on 27.07.2015 by Shri Jasvantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor and Shrimati Sakuntala Laguri:


(a): The Central and State Governments have been taking various initiatives for socio-economic development of tribal population of the country. This includes Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) strategy implemented since 1974-1975. The purpose of the strategy is to channelize the flow of funds for speedier development of the Scheduled Tribes. The Central Ministries/Departments are also mandated by the erstwhile Planning Commission along with the States/UTs to carve out certain percentage of funds under the Centrally sponsored/Central Sector/States/UT Schemes for TSP. The Programmes/Schemes implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes are at Annexure-I. As per available information, the number of beneficiaries under the schemes of the Ministry is approximately 43,97,858 for the year 2014-15.

(b): The guidelines issued by the erstwhile Planning Commission for TSP and the operational guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Plan (SCA to TSP), Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution and other schemes’ guidelines contain the monitoring mechanism also. This includes:

(i) Voluntary disclosures in the Gram Sabha;
(ii) Submission of physical progress report by the Implementing Agencies;
(iii) Fulfilling codal formalities like submission of expenditure details/Utilization Certificates by implementing agencies;
(iv) Field visits by officials of Centre/State/UTs from time to time;
(v) Social audit of projects financed;
(vi) Placing information in respect of projects approved in public domain; and
(vii) The guidelines also provide for monitoring through Apex Level Committees/Tribal Advisory Committees headed by the Chief Ministers, and the Executive Committees headed by Chief Secretaries. At the district level also, the District Level Monitoring Committees monitor the implementation of various projects.

(c): The details of the funds allocated/released and utilized during the last three years under the schemes/programme wise/year wise are at Annexure-II.

(d)& (e): The complaints/ allegations received in this regard are sent to the concerned State/ UT/ implementing agencies for appropriate action with advisories on remedial action wherever required.