(a) whether the Government has evaluated the impact of tribal development schemes;
(b) if so, the details and outcome thereof, ` `
(c) the number of families benefited under these schemes, State-wise,
(d) the measures contemplated to empower tribals in governance; and
(e) the role assigned to voluntary organizations in improving the welfare of Scheduled Tribes?
MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI P.R. KYNDIAH)
(a)&(b): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has entrusted the Programme Evaluation Organization
of the Planning Commission to carry out the evaluation of the Schemes of Special Central
Assistance to Tribal Sub Plan (SCA to TSP), Grants under Article 275 (1) of the Constitution
and the Schemes supported by the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development
Corporation (NSTFDC).The reports are awaited.
(c) The details regarding the targets and achievements in respect of number of ST families
assisted during 2003-04 under Point 11 (b) of 20 Point Programme are given in the Annual
Report of this Ministry for the year 2003-04, copies of which are available in the Parliament
Library.
(d) The Ministry implements several Central Sector/Centrally Sponsored Schemes/Programmes
in the core sectors of income and employment generation, creation of critical infrastructure,
educational development and improvement in literacy, ensuring fair prices for Minor Forest
Produce, etc, for raising the level of their Human Development Indices which aim at
socio-economic empowerment of tribal people. In addition, the Provision of Panchayats
(Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, empowers the Scheduled Tribes in the Scheduled
Areas. This Act inter alia provides for endowing the Gram Sabha with the ownership of Minor
Forest Produce (MFP) and also for the : prior recommendation of the Gram Sabha before the
grant of a prospecting licence or mining lease for minor minerals in the Scheduled Areas
and for grant of concession for the exploitation of minor minerals by auction.
(e) The Voluntary Organisation have been assigned implementation of various projects
relating to socio-economic and educational development of Scheduled Tribes under the following
schemes:
1.Grant-in-aid to Voluntary Organisations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes
including Coaching & Allied and Award of Special Incentive for their exemplary services.
2. Establishment of Educational complex in low literacy pockets for development of women`s
literacy in Tribal Areas.
3. Vocational Training Centres in Tribal Areas
4. Development of Primitive Tribal Groups.