SCHEMES FOR THE WELFARE OF SCHEDULED TRIBES
1. Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS)
Implementing Agency –Ministry Of Tribal Affairs
(i)Funding Pattern
Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS) is a 100% grant from the Government of India (since 1977-78). It is charged to the Consolidated Fund of India (except grants for the North Eastern States, a voted item) and is an additive to State Plan funds and efforts for Tribal Development.
(ii) Scope
This grant is utilized for the economic development of the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP), Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Modified Area Development Approach (MADA), Clusters, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), and dispersed tribal populations.
(iii)States Covered
SCA to TSS covers 23 States. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu &Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
2. Grants-in-aid under Article 275(1) of the Constitution
(i)Funding Pattern
Grants-in-aid under Proviso to Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India is a 100% annual grant from the Government of India to States. It is charged to the Consolidated Fund of India (except grants for NE States, a voted item) and is an additive to State Plan funds and efforts for Tribal Development.
(ii) Scope
Funds are utilized for the socio-economic development of ITDA, MADA, Clusters, and PVTGs.
(iii)States Covered
Grant is provided to 27 States, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.
3. Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
(i)Scope
Activities covered are housing, land distribution, land development, agricultural development, animal husbandry, construction of link roads, and installation of non-conventional sources of energy for lighting purposes, social security including Janashree Bima Yojana or any other innovative activity meant for the comprehensive socio-economic development of PVTGs. The scheme is flexible as it enables the States to focus on areas that they consider relevant to PVTGs and their sociocultural environment.
(ii)States Covered
The scheme of Development of PVTGs covers 75 identified PVTGs in 18 States and UT of Andaman & Nicobar Islands
4. Institutional Support for the Development & Marketing of Tribal Products / Produce (Central Sector Scheme)
(i)Funding
Under the scheme, Grants-in-aid are released to State Tribal Development Cooperative Corporations (STDCCs) and Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd. (TRIFED) which is a multi-State Cooperative under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA).
(ii) Scope
To give comprehensive support for people belonging to various tribes in the entire range of production, product development, preservation of traditional heritage, support to both forest and agricultural produce of tribal people, support to Institutions to carry the above activities, provisions of better infrastructure, development of designs, dissemination of information about price and the agencies which are buying the products, support to Government agencies for sustainable marketing and thereby ensure a reasonable price regime.
Sharing of information with Gram Panchayats and Gram Sabhas, Skill upgradation, and development of utilitarian products for an increase in value in the market.
(iii)Objective
The Scheme is to create institutions for the Scheduled Tribes to support the marketing and development of activities they depend on for their livelihood. These are sought to be achieved by specific measures like
- market intervention;
- training and skill up-gradation of tribal Artisans, Craftsmen, Minor Forest Produce (MFP) gatherers, etc.;
- R&D/IPR activity; and
- Supply chain infrastructure development.
5.‘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 (Centrally Sponsored Scheme)
(i)Objective
The Ministry introduced this scheme from the year 2013-14, a centrally sponsored scheme of '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 who are primarily a member of Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers whose very livelihood depends on collection and selling of MFP.
(ii)Scope
The scheme seeks to establish a system to ensure fair monetary returns for their efforts in the collection, primary processing, storage, packaging, transportation, etc. It also seeks to get them a share of the revenue from the sales proceeds with the cost deducted. It also aims to address other issues for the sustainability of the process.
The scheme envisages fixation and declaration of Minimum Support Price for the selected MFP. Procurement & Marketing operations at pre-fixed MSP will be undertaken by the designated State Agencies. Simultaneously, other medium & long-term issues like sustainable collection, value addition, infrastructure development, knowledge base expansion of MFP, market intelligence development, and strengthening the bargaining power of Gram Sabha/ Panchayat will also be addressed.
(iii)States covered
To start with, the scheme had been implemented in States having areas under Schedule V of the Constitution and covered ten MFP items. Recently, however, the guidelines of the scheme ‘Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP’ has been modified after discussion with various stakeholders and TRIFED, and MSP of the existing MFP items has been revised as also fourteen more MFP items have been added to the list
6. Support to National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC)/State Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporations (FDCs)
(i)Funding
NSTFDC a fully owned Public Sector Enterprise of the Government of India is provided with 100% equity share capital contribution by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The authorized share capital of the Corporation is Rs. 750.00 crores.
The STFDCs are catering to STs in various States and are assisted in the form of contributions towards share capital by this Ministry. The ratio of its contribution is in the share 51:49 between the State Government and Central Government
(ii) Scope
To identify economic activities of importance to the Scheduled Tribes to generate self-employment and raise their income level. To upgrade their skills and processes through both institutional and on-the-job training. To make existing State/ UT Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporations (SCAs) and other developmental agencies engaged in the economic development of the Scheduled Tribes more effective. To assist SCAs in project formulation, implementation of NSTFDC-assisted schemes, and in imparting training to their personnel. To monitor the implementation of NSTFDC-assisted schemes to assess their impact
(iii) Objective
The main objectives of the scheme are:-Identification of eligible ST families and motivating them to undertake economic development schemes. Sponsoring those schemes to financial institutions for credit support. Providing financial assistance in form of margin money at a low rate of interest, and Providing necessary linkage/ tie-up with other poverty alleviation programs.
(iv)States Covered
The STFDCs are catering to STs in various States and are assisted in the form of contributions towards share capital by this Ministry.
7.Educational Sector Schemes
1. PRE-MATRIC SCHOLARSHIPS TO ST STUDENTS (Class IX and X)
(i)Funding
Central assistance in the share of 75:25 (90:10 for NER and Hilly States) to State Governments/UT Administrations is available from the Government of India. The scholarship is distributed through the State Government/UT Administration.
(ii) Target Group
Applicable to students who are studying in Classes IX–X. Parental income from all sources should be less than Rs.2.00 lakhs per annum, which is proposed to be revised to Rs.2.50 lakhs per annum
(iii) Provisions
Scholarships are paid @ Rs.150/- per month for Day Scholars and @Rs.350/- per month for Hostellers, for 10 months in a year
(iv)Proposed Changes
This is proposed to be revised from the existing Rs.150/- to Rs.225/- p.m. for Day Scholars, and from Rs.350/- to Rs.525/- p.m.
2. POST MATRIC SCHOLARSHIPS TO ST Students (Class XI and above)
(i)Funding
Central assistance in the share of 75:25 (90:10 for NER and Hilly States) to State Governments/UT Administrations is available from the Government of India
(ii) Implementing Agency
The scholarship is distributed through the State Government/UT Administration.
(iii) Eligibility
Parental income from all sources should be less than Rs.2.50 lakhs per annum.
(iv) Target Group
Applicable to students who are studying in any recognized course from a recognized institution for which the qualification is Matriculation/Class X or above.
Compulsory fees charged by educational institutions are reimbursed subject to the limit fixed by the concerned State Fee fixation committee and the scholarship amount of Rs.230 to Rs.1200 per month, depending upon the course of study is paid.
3. NATIONAL OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIPS (NOS) for ST students studying abroad
(i)Implementing Agency
Disbursement of scholarships through the Ministry of External Affairs/ Indian Missions abroad
(ii) Eligibility
Parental/family income from all sources should not exceed Rs.6.00 lakhs per annum.
(iii)Provisions
Provides financial assistance to selected students to pursue Post Graduation, Ph.D. & Post-Doctoral study abroad.
A total of 20 awards are given every year. Of these, 17 awards are for STs, and 3 awards are for students belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups
Annual maintenance allowance of £9900/-, annual contingency & equipment allowance of £1116/-, tuition fees as per actuals, and other admissible fees are provided for candidates in the United Kingdom.
For candidates in the USA, an annual maintenance allowance of $15400/-, annual contingency & equipment allowance of $1532/-, tuition fees as per actuals, and other admissible fees are provided.
8.NATIONAL FELLOWSHIP & SCHOLARSHIP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION OF ST STUDENTS:
1. SCHOLARSHIP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION (earlier known as Top Class Education) For ST students
(i)Eligibility
Family income from all sources does not exceed Rs.6.00 lakhs per annum.
(ii) Provisions
The scholarship is given to ST students for pursuing studies in prescribed courses in any of the 246 institutes of excellence across the country like IITs, AIIMS, IIMs, and IITs, etc. identified by the Ministry.
The total number of scholarships is 1000 per year.
The scholarship amount includes tuition fees, living expenses, and allowances for books and computers.
2. FELLOWSHIP (earlier known as RGNF) SCHEME FOR ST STUDENTS)
(i)Provisions
750 fellowships are provided to ST students each year for pursuing higher studies in India for MPhil and Ph.D.
Fellowship is granted as per UGC norms, @Rs.25, 000/- for JRF and @Rs.28, 000/- for SRF.
3. Scheme of Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts
(i)Aim
The scheme aims to improve the socio-economic status of the poor and illiterate tribal population through the education of women. The Scheme aims to bridge the gap in literacy levels between the general female population and tribal women and is meant exclusively for ST Girls.
(ii)Objective
The primary objective of this Central Sector Scheme is the promotion of education among tribal girls in the identified low-literacy districts of the country
(iii)States covered
it is being implemented in 54 identified low literacy districts where ST Population is 25% or more and ST female literacy rate is below 35% as per the 2001 census
The Scheme has been revised with effect from 1.4.2008.
(iv)Provisions
The educational complexes are established in rural areas of identified districts and have classes I to V with a provision for upgradation up to class Xll, provided there is sufficient accommodation for classrooms, a hostel, a kitchen, gardening, and for sports facilities. The educational complexes impart not only formal education to tribal girls but also train the students in agriculture, animal husbandry, other vocations, and crafts to make them economically strong.
4. Scheme of Grant-in-aid to voluntary organizations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes
(i)Funding
The scheme is Central Sector Scheme. The grants are provided to the non-governmental organizations on application, in a prescribed format, duly recommended by the multi-disciplinary State Level Committee of the concerned State Government / UT Administration.
Funds are generally provided to the extent of 90% by the Government. The voluntary organization is expected to bear the remaining 10% balance from its resources
(ii)Objective
The prime objective of the scheme is to enhance the reach of welfare schemes of the Government and fill the gaps in service-deficient tribal areas, in the sectors such as education, health, drinking water, agro-horticultural productivity, social security net, etc. through the efforts of voluntary organizations, and to provide a favorable environment for socio-economic upliftment and overall development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Any other innovative activity having a direct positive impact on the socio-economic development or livelihood generation of STs may also be considered through voluntary efforts
The Scheme was launched in 1953-54 and was last revised w.e.f. 1st April 2008.
5. Vocational Training in Tribal Areas
(i)Funding
100% grants under the scheme are provided to the State, Union Territories, and other Associations implementing the Scheme
(ii)Aim
The main aim of the Scheme is to develop the skills of the ST youth for a variety of jobs as well as self-employment and to improve their socio-economic condition by enhancing their income.
(iii) Target Group
Free vocational training facilities are extended only to tribal youth.
(iv) Provisions
Each Vocational Training Centre (VTC) under the Scheme may cater to 5 vocational courses in traditional skills depending upon the employment potential of the area. Keeping in view the limited potential of even skilled persons in interior areas, each ST boy/girl is trained in two trades of his/her choice, the course in each trade being for three months. Each trainee is to be attached at the end of six months to a master craftsman in a semi-urban/urban area for six months, to learn his/her skills through practical experience.
The scheme has been revised with effect from 1.4.2009 to provide enhanced financial norms and to ensure linkages of vocational courses with a recognized certificate/diplomas through affiliation/accreditation of courses and institutions under the Modular Employable Skills and Craftsman Training Scheme by the National Council of Vocational Training of Ministry of Labour and Employment
(v) States Covered
The scheme covers all the State and Union Territories.
6. Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) and Tribal Festivals, Research Information, and Mass Education;
(i)Funding
Funding under this Scheme is 100% grant-in-aid by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to the TRIs on a need basis with the approval of the APEX Committee
(ii)Provisions
To preserve tribal art and culture, financial assistance is provided to TRI to carry out various activities to preserve and promote tribal culture and heritage across the country through research and documentation, maintenance and preservation of art & artifacts, setting up of a tribal museum, exchange visits for the tribals to other parts of the State, organizing tribal festivals, etc.
TRIs would be responsible to prepare the proposal and detailed action plans for the year along with budgetary requirement and submit it to the Ministry through State Tribal Welfare Department.
Source: The PIB
