Working for the
integrated Socio-Economic Development of the Scheduled Tribes
The Scheduled tribe communities live in about 15% of
the country’s areas, in various ecological and geo-climatic conditions ranging
from plains and forests to hills and inaccessible areas. Tribal groups are at
different stages of social, economic and educational development. While some
tribal communities have adopted a mainstream way of life, at the other end of
the spectrum, there are certain Scheduled Tribes, known as Particularly
Vulnerable Tribal Groups, who are characterised by a pre-agriculture level of
technology; a stagnant or declining population; extremely low literacy; and a
subsistence level of economy. The essential characteristics for a
community to be identified as Scheduled Tribes are indications of primitive
traits; distinctive culture; shyness of contact with the community at large;
geographical isolation; and backwardness. The inclusion of a community as a
Scheduled Tribe is an ongoing process.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is mandated with
overall policy, planning and coordination of programmes for the development of
the Scheduled Tribes (STs). The programmes and schemes of the Ministry are
intended to support and supplement, through financial assistance, the efforts
of other Central Ministries, the State Governments and voluntary organizations,
and to fill critical gaps taking into account the needs of Scheduled
Tribe. These schemes which
are for the economic, educational and social development are administered by
the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and implemented through the State Governments,
Union Territory Administrations and voluntary organizations. Further, the Ministry constantly
interacts with various stakeholders vis-à-vis tribal welfare and development to
ensure the reach of the schemes as well evaluating the needs/concerns of the
tribals.
The National Commission for Scheduled
Tribes (NCST) investigates and monitors all matters relating to the safeguards
provided for the Scheduled Tribes and to evaluate the working of such
safeguards; to inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation
of rights and safeguards of the Scheduled Tribes.
The Tribal Cooperative Marketing
(TRIFED) functions both as a service provider and market developer for tribal
products. Further, in
the role as a capacity builder, it imparts training to Scheduled Tribe Artisans
and Minor Forest Produce (MFP) gatherers.
The National Scheduled Tribes Finance
and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) provides financial assistance for the
economic development of the Scheduled Tribes.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is administering the
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest
Rights) Act, 2006 seeking to recognise and vest the forest rights and
occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other
traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in such forests for
generations but whose rights could not be recorded. The Ministry is also involved with the
Protection of Civil Rights Act, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act,
Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas), Act.
As educational development is a stepping-stone to
economic and social development and the most effective instrument for
empowering the tribals, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing schemes
such as Post Matric Scholarship (PMS), Hostels for Scheduled Tribe students,
Establishment of Ashram Schools, Vocational Training Centre, Top Class Education,
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship and National Overseas Scholarship for
Scheduled Tribe students to improve their educational status. The Ministry has
also launched a new pre-matric scholarship scheme in 2012.
Besides, the Ministry funds schemes for vocational
training to Scheduled Tribe youth to increase their employability, educational
complexes for strengthening education among Scheduled Tribe Girls in Low
Literacy Districts for development of Scheduled Tribe female literacy in tribal
areas, residential schools, non-residential schools, hostels, libraries, mobile
dispensaries, ten or more bedded hospitals, computer training centres, rural
night school, agricultural training, etc., supporting the initiatives of the
State Governments to provide income earning opportunities in tribal areas and
initiatives for research, data etc.. The
Ministry also releases funds under Article 275 (1) of the Constitution on the
basis of approved projects for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes and raising the
level of administration in the Scheduled Areas in these States.
The Budget allocation for various schemes/programmes
of Ministry of Tribal Affairs for 2012-13 is Rs.4090.00 Crores.
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