24 Tribal Development Programmes and Welfare Schemes

Anup Kapoor

epgp books

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS:

 

1. AN INTRODUCTION TO TRIBES 1.1. The Characteristics of Tribes

1.2. The Tribal Situation in India

1.3. The Tribal Problems

2. THE TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES AND WELFARE SCHEMES 2.1. History

2.2. An Approach to Tribal Development

2.3. The Governmental Ministries and Departments for Tribal Welfare

2.4. The Major Schemes and Plans of Change

3.      SUMMARY

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • To study tribal characteristics and relate them with their situation in India
  • To understand the major problems of tribes in India
  • To study the history of tribal development in India: the pre-independence and post-independence period
  • To learn the approaches to tribal development
  • To know the various tribal development programmes and welfare schemes

    1. AN INTRODUCTION TO TRIBES 1.1. The Characteristics of Tribes

 

The term “tribe” though a regular word in most of the scholastic dimensions of today’s world, astonishingly hasn’t found a universal definition till date even after years of study and research. The problem is not lack of dedication or interest, but the world is so diverse and dynamic to accommodate dissimilar sets of human populations into one mould. For example, the tribes call themselves by names which associate them to their land and surroundings; they declare themselves to be the first inhabitants of their land, or the “first human beings”. This assertion though falls short in the constitutional framework of defining the tribes based on their socio- economic status in comparison to the other sub-populations of the country. The Indian Constitution defines them under the constitutional term, “the Scheduled Tribes”, which serves the purpose of designating certain communities, where membership is acquired by birth, for the benefits that the government provides them with the explicit aim of bringing them at par with the other communities of the country.

 

But, this definition is again contradicted by the field study approach of the sociological, anthropological and historical scholars along with the different NGOs working with the tribes, who try to define “tribes” through certain measurable characteristics, some of which are:

  • Group having a territorial affiliation
  • Segmental solidarity (socially and structurally similar)
  • Economic interdependence (Reciprocal exchange through barter and gifts)
  • No surplus generation
  • Importance of family and kinship relations (recognition of identity through clan and lineage)
  • Use of simple technology
  • Resilient to change
  • Endogamous
  • No specialization of function
  • Common language/ dialect
  • Recognize social distance with the other tribes and castes
  • Follow tribal traditions, beliefs and customs

    This list is not exhaustive but contains some of the important features of the tribes through which one tribe can be differentiated from another.

 

1.2. The Tribal Situation in India

 

The tribes of India constitutes around 8.6% of the total Indian population (Census, 2011). Although they have always been delineated from the mainstream of Indian population through their physical and cultural characteristics, being a part of this nation they deserve attention and care at par with the rest of the population. But, because of isolation and social detachment over years, they have been deprived of the basic education, skills, development and growth of the modern world.

 

Many scholars have tried to classify them based on several parameters for understanding their structure and needs, but because of diversity it is still difficult to formulate a single set of developmental programmes for all the tribes. Some of the major distinguishing features of the Indian tribes are:

  • The concentration of tribes varies in different regions of India. Their major distribution is found in the North and North-East India, Central India, Southern India and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
  • Different tribes are recognized by different economic levels. For example, the Negritos of the Andaman (Onge, Great Andamanese and Jarawa) are the semi-nomadic tribes which have hunting-gathering type of economy, whereas, the Todas of South India is a pastoral community, the Nicobarese practice horticulture and most of the Assam tribes practice shifting cultivation for living. The other type of economies includes agriculture which is a much modern type of economy and the cottage industries in which some of the tribes like Mahalis practice basket-making, Birhors practice rope-making, Nagas practice weaving, and Agarias and Asurs practice crude smelting of metals.
  • The tribes of India show variability in terms of their language, culture, traditions, beliefs and customs. This variability extends to religious absorptions/ conversions, identity gain and loss through assimilation into the different social hierarchical dimensions.

    1.3. The Tribal Problems

 

The major tribal problems include land-alienation, indebtedness, identity-crises, poor literacy and education, unemployment, displacement and rehabilitation, and lack of health, nutrition and hygiene. These are accompanied by the lacunae in the policy making, implementation and personnel skills and training of the government departments who are deployed in the tribal areas to understand their needs and fulfill their duties as ordered by the government.

 

The chief factors responsible for the problems of the tribes are rampant urbanization and industrialization in the tribal areas, the socio-cultural factors, forest policy and tribals, and the conservatism and reluctance to change of the tribals. The various problems that are to be addressed by the government includes:

  • Education: Low enrolment, high drop outs, gap in education between STs and other groups, remoteness of schools, poor livelihood, non-availability of teachers, language and cultural barriers, lack of vocational training etc.
  • Health: Inadequate infrastructure, low immunization, malnutrition, loss of traditional food, inadequate coverage of pregnant mothers, remoteness of areas leading to high IMR, MMR among tribals, non-availability of safe drinking water, high incidence of Malaria, Sickle Cell Anemia, GED, URTI, Fluorosis etc.
  • Livelihood: Lack of skills, training opportunities, and backward and forward linkages- agriculture activities, inadequate connectivity, forest degradation, lack of irrigation and market linkages leading to unemployment, low income from traditional occupations and lack of forest diversity.
  • Culture: Lack of awareness and preservation of tribal culture, interface with academic fraternity, infrastructure or mechanism, market linkage to promote tribal craft and absence of tribal museums on tourist maps of the States leading to loss of traditional sports, crafts, medicines, and medicinal practices, sense of alienation, loss of sense of ownership over tribal culture and loss of heritage, cuisine and traditional foods.

   So, the tribes remain backward in terms of their socio-economic advancement, seclusion in remote areas and ideological specialty reflected in the primeval level of manifestation of core traditions.

 

2.    THE TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES AND WELFARE SCHEMES

 

2.1. History

 

In order to address the tribal issues, although the concerns and perspectives were different, different approaches to tribal development were implemented. This can be divided into two major phases:

 

i. Pre-independence approach: This approach was used by the British to mitigate the sufferings of the tribals and prevent their exploitation by the outsiders like money-lenders, traders etc. It was more ameliorative in nature and used an isolationist strategy to make the task of administration in the tribal areas easy by alienating them from the rest of the population through sentimental and emotional detachment. There was no deliberate attempt to strengthen their economy and was mostly to satisfy the colonial political and economic interests. This is reflected in their forest policies which levied land revenue on tribals and encouraged land alienation policies. Though at that time, a few missionaries and voluntary organizations worked independently for the welfare of the tribals, the conduct of practice of proselytization by Christian missionaries introduced literacy and development among some of the tribal groups.

 

ii.  Post-independence approach: After independence it was realized that the tribals have lagged behind the development plans and required attention. They thus acquired a growth-oriented strategy. The government worked upon the development and socio-economic upliftment of these groups and declared some of the areas as “Scheduled Areas” where the population of the tribals was more than 50%. A blueprint for the development of the tribes was planned according to a stipulated period of time with correct investments and inputs, and of ‘macro’, ‘meso’ or ‘micro’ level depending upon the requirement and repercussions.

 

2.2. An Approach to Tribal Development

 

Taking a view of the tribal problems, a solution to them is both challenging and time consuming. But, an approach targeted for a developmental change from internal and external agencies is aimed and expected. There should be an internal will and motivation to improve the situation, and secondly a “change from without” or “a change with an external support” is highly anticipated majorly from the government and the non-governmental organizations. In the second case, the inputs are chiefly in the form of Five Year Plans, some of whose highlights are:

  • In the I Five Year Plan (1951-56), the Community Development Programmes were focused on people’s participation and favorable motivation in which change was expected through the process of diffusion of innovations which were non-invasive to their culture and could improve their lives.
  • In the II Five Year Plan (1956-61), 43 Special Multi-Purpose Tribal Blocks (SMPTBs) (later known as Tribal Development Blocks- TDBs) were created.
  • The III Five Year Plan (1961-66), focused on food production and individual Farm-Crop Production Plan (FCPP). Under the chairmanship of Verrier Elwin, SMPTBs were reviewed and renamed as the Tribal Development Blocks (TDBs). They were suggested to be opened in all areas where over 60% of the population was that of the tribals.
  • In the IV Five Year Plan (1969-74), the priorities were almost unchanged but special programmes like the Crash Special Nutrition Programme and Crash Employment Programme were implemented to fulfill the supplementary nutrition diet needs of the tribal infants in order to protect them from malnutrition. An attempt was made to generate employment opportunities for them. Also a series of programmes like the Small Farmers Development Agencies (SFDAs) and Marginal Farmers and Agricultural Laborers Development Agencies (MFALs) were conceived in which attention was shifted from area development to development of selective individuals who qualify the eligibilty. On the pattern of SFDAs, the Tribal Development Agencies (TDAs) targeting the tribal problems were established.
  • In the V Five Year Plan (1974-79), Integrated Area Development Approach was used wherein the parameters like population proportion, ecology and resources, lifestyle and culture of the tribals was given importance in finalizing the projects through the Tribal Sub-plan scheme. It aimed at narrowing the gap between the developmental activities in tribal and other areas. Also, Growth Centers were chosen for correct investment and to generate uniform growth impulses.
  • In the Sixth Five Year Plan (1980-85), MADA (Modified Area Development Approach) was adopted to cover the tribal population in the smaller areas.

    Likewise we are in the Period of Twelfth Five Year Plan, where different strategies for development of the tribals are still laid.

 

Although, many strategies have been adopted for the welfare of tribals till date, but we have still not been able to meet the target of full and uniform socio-economic upliftment of the tribals. The major reasons for this failure are: stereotyping of plans and implementation strategies lacking tribal perspective, non-cognizance of the make-up of tribals underlying in different geographical zones with different set of natural resources, cultural traits, economy and lifestyles, different levels of receptivity of the beneficiaries and myriad capabilities of tribal leadership, lack of funds and trained and skilled personnel.

 

Some of the approaches which can be considered before framing tribal plans, policies and programmes in India includes:

  • Understanding and appreciation of the relationship between a tribal and his land, which assumes rights over land as a method of “communal ownership”. Similarly the requirement of land varies between different tribal economies. For e.g., Hunting-gathering communities requires more land to search resources as compared to the pastoral, shifting cultivator and agricultural communities.
  • Division of the tribal regions based upon the geographical contiguity, common resource potentials, and viable units of development, common needs and history.
  • The policy makers should ponder over the exploitation of tribals by money lenders and traders, economic loss to tribals, political and moral dimensions.
  • Resettlement and legal help to the tribals with timely follow-ups.
  • Encouraging the participation of tribals in the decision making process.
  • Creating awareness among the tribals through literacy and technical skills programmes.
  • Sustainable development must be understood in terms of utilization of the forest resources for national economy along with simultaneous social and economic upliftment of the tribals.
  • The methodology should be focused upon than the spread of area in order to diffuse the benefits of the programme to the last individual of the community.
  • Proper channelization of funds

    2.3. The Governmental Ministries and Departments for Tribal Welfare

 

The first Prime Minister of India, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru gave 5 Fundamental Principles of tribal development with special attention to the North-East Region. These involved: motivating the tribal individuals to develop their own line of genius and appreciate their tribal tradition and culture without any imposition from the external authorities, tribal rights in land and forests should be respected, tribals should be trained in a way that their own community individuals may become their leaders and administrators in future, over-administration of their areas with a multiplicity of schemes must be avoided, and in the end we should not judge the results by expenditure and time, but by improvement in the quality of life. He believed in an integrationist approach which focused on two major types of measures for tribal development: the Protective measures and the Promotional measures. The former is based on the protection of the tribal culture and traditions and the latter aims at providing the essential development and welfare sources for improving tribal life to keep them at par with the mainstream population.

 

The 6th Schedule of the Constitution has granted the following provisions to the tribal areas: establishment of District Councils and Regional Councils for autonomous districts and regions respectively whose members are majorly elected through adult suffrage; these councils will help in management of forest land and resources, regulation of the practice of shifting cultivation, appointment or succession of tribal-chiefs, inheritance of property, control of money-lending and trading, and procession of marriage and social customs.

 

The Article 332 of the Constitution of India, permits reservation of the seats in the State Legislative Assemblies for the Schedules Castes and Tribes (except in the tribal areas of Assam).

 

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, a nodal ministry was set up in 1999 after the bifurcation of the Ministry of Social Empowerment and Justice, with the objective of a focused approach for the integrated development of the Scheduled Tribes, in a planned and coordinated manner. Its major responsibilities includes: policy, planning and coordination of the programmes for the development of the Schedules Tribes. The subjects allocated to the Ministry under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961:

 

i.      Social security and insurance for the STs.

ii.     Tribal welfare planning, project formulation, research, evaluation, statistics and training

iii.    Promotion and development of voluntary efforts on tribal welfare

iv.    Scholarships to the students of ST community

v.     ST development (under the aegis of the Central Ministries/ Departments, State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.

vi.    Regulations framed by the Governors of States for Scheduled Areas.

vii.  Commission to report on the administration of Scheduled Areas and issue of directions regarding the drawing up and execution of schemes essential for the welfare of the STs of any State.

viii.  National Commission of STs

ix.   Implementation of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (excluding administration of criminal justice in regard to offences in so are as they relate to STs)

 

The various activities of the Ministry under the multi-pronged strategy for tribes includes: promotion of education among the tribes, provision of hostels for ST Girls and Boys to reduce dropouts from schools, arrangement of Vocational Training for the ST youth to increase employability, introduction of the scheme of “Pre-Matric Scholarship” and “Post-Matric Scholarship” for the needy ST students, arrangement of health facilities, upliftment of ST women, promotion of inclusive growth of tribals for improving their socio-economic status, development of infrastructure, improving their livelihood and housing, provision of electricity, irrigation, and market development, protection of legal rights of STs and protection and promotion of tribal culture and heritage.

 

One of the measures adopted by the Centre and State Governments to improve the socio-economic condition of the tribals by providing support for education, health, sanitation, water-supply, livelihood etc. includes the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) Strategy which was implemented in 1974-75.

 

Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA)/ Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP), Micro Projects etc. as institutions were initiated in 1970s and 1980s for supplying the necessary help and services to the STs. Although, Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) were formed to impart knowledge and build capacities of tribal people and officials, they got faded over time. An attempt to encourage them with adequately skilled manpower and infrastructure has been initiated from 2014-15. Some of the improvements that have been sought for TRIs includes:

  • To convert TRIs into a registered society so that funds can be released directly and approval process can be expedited.
  • Projects sanctioned by the Union Government supported by the research scholars need not require any further round of approval by the various departments of State governments.
  • TRIs have been advised to form the task forces which can document traditional tribal medicines and medicinal practices. The entire cost of documentation would be borne by the Union Government.
  • In states having substantial tribal population but no TRIs, TRIs must be set up.
  • A full time Director both willing and qualified, must be posted for the TRIs.
  • The TRIs must document the language in the local script. Besides this, The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) will support preparation of primers in tribal language and local script.
  • The Micro Project Agencies have also been encouraged in States for addressing development of tribal groups in both ITDA and Non- ITDA areas, as well as, development of administrative structure in urban areas to facilitate tribals in these areas for protecting their rights and accessing various benefits to which they are entitled for.

  To prepare a report on the socio-economic, health and educational status of the tribal communities, to suggest policy initiatives and measures to improve development indicators and strengthen public service delivery, a High Level Committee (HLC) was formed.

 

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was started in Feb 2004 with headquarters located in New Delhi, amending Article 338 and inserting a new Article 338A in the Constitution, and replacing the Office of Commissioner of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes created in 1950, realizing that the needs and problems the Scheduled tribes differed from those of the Scheduled Castes and a different treatment must be given to both for their development. It is aimed at taking measures related to ownership of the minor forest produce, safeguarding the rights of the tribal communities over mineral, water and other resources, development of their livelihood strategies, improvement in their relief and rehabilitation work, preventing land-alienation, involvement of tribals in decision-making and to reduce and ultimately eliminate the practice of shifting cultivation by tribals to prevent degradation of land and their environment.

 

In the month of March, 2014, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs also issued “Operational Guidelines for Formulation, Implementation and Monitoring of tribal Sub-Plan and Article 275(1) grants” for effective implementation of schemes administered by Ministry and have emphasized on the strengthening of institutions ITDA, ITDP, TRIs, etc.

 

A Project Appraisal Committee (PAC), headed by Secretary, Tribal Affairs, representatives of State Governments, Planning Commission etc. is framed to assess and approve the proposals for allocation to different schemes of the Ministry, thus helping in processing communication, transparency and optimal distribution of the limited capital between the Center and State.

 

The National Forest Policy, 1988 recommended that at least 33.33% of the total area of the country to be forested and at least 60% of the total forest must be preserved at any point of time in the tribal dominated areas. It looked forward to the active participation of the tribals in their welfare programmes.

 

2.4. The Major Schemes and Plans of Change

 

According to the Annual Report 2014-15, the Budget Allocation for various schemes/ programmes of Ministry of Tribal Affairs for 2014-15 was ₹4479 Crore and the Revised Estimates was ₹3850 Crore.

  • Conservation-cum-Development (CCD) Plans

   These plans were prepared by the State governments and the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands for five years by adopting habitat development approach based on the data collected through surveys. It helps in preparing an in-built mechanism to monitor at various levels the movement of funds.

 

Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs): For the exclusive development of the PTGs, which have been identified as 75 in number in 18 states and 1 UT of India, a Central Sector Scheme (CSS) for exclusive development of the PTGs was started in 1998-99. The major activities under it includes housing, land distribution and development, agricultural development, cattle development, construction of link roads, social security through Janshree Beema Yojana etc. have been started.

  • Central Sector Schemes (CSS)

    i.   Grant-in-Aid to NGOs for STs including Coaching and Allied Scheme and Award for Exemplary Service

 

ii.  National Overseas Scholarship Scheme: The aim of the this Scheme is to provide financial assistance to the needy ST students (17 ST students and 3 PVTG students) to pursue higher education involving Post-Graduation, Ph.D. or Post-Doctoral Research Programmes abroad. It has been revised in the 12th Five Year Plan to make it more employable for students later.

 

iii. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for ST Students: This scheme was started in the year 2005-06 for providing financial assistance to the needy ST students to pursue higher education involving M.Phil. and Ph.D. in any university/institutions recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under section 2(f) of the UGC Act.

 

iv.  Strengthening Education among Scheduled Tribe Girls in Low Literacy District: This scheme was started in 1993-94 and is one of those which is open to the participation of non-governmental/ voluntary organizations. It is a gender-specific scheme which was introduced to improve the literacy rate among the tribal women by encouraging increased participation of tribal girls in the identified district/ blocks (esp. in the naxal affected areas and those containing the PVTGs), reducing drop-outs from school at the elementary level, and providing hostel facilities to the girls when the school is far from their homes.

 

v.  Establishment of Ashram Schools for STs in TSP Area: It is another scheme started after independence in 1950s (revised in financial year 2008-09) to extend educational opportunities to the tribal students through residential schools by providing a conducive educational environment. The funds are used for the construction of school buildings from primary to the senior secondary stage and for the up gradation of existing Ashram Schools for ST Boys and Girls including PVTGs. The responsibility of maintenance of the Ashram Schools is of the State Government and the UT concerned.

 

vi. Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): These are set up in the States/ UTs with the capacity of 480 students in each school under the Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India. It aims to provide quality middle and high level education to the ST students in remote areas to provide them quality education and avail them the employment opportunities at par with the non-tribal population of the country.

 

vii.  Vocational Training Centres in Tribal Areas: (Revised in 2009) This scheme is open for the participation of the governmental/ non-governmental/ voluntary/cooperative organizations where they aim to upgrade the skills of the tribal youth in various traditional/ modern vocations depending upon their educational qualification, current economic position and market potential to help them gain employment.

 

viii.  Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojna (VKY): This scheme is based upon the Gujarat model which is expected to influence the convergence of financial resources and different schemes of development under TSP effectively for creating supporting environment for holistic development of the tribal people. The focus is on working character than the numerical financial and physical attainments.

 

ix. Grant-in-aid to Voluntary Organizations Working for the Welfare of ST: This scheme was launched in 1953-54 and was revised in 2008-09 including the financial norms for encouraging participation by the non-governmental voluntary organizations for socio-economic welfare of the underprivileged tribes. It is funded by Ministry of Tribal Affairs for projects covering residential schools, non-residential schools, hostels, libraries, mobile dispensaries, ten or more bedded hospitals, computer training centres, rural night school, agricultural training etc. Its prime objective is to extend the welfare schemes to every ST individual and fill the deficiencies in service deficient tribal areas.

 

x. Mechanism for Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP: It was introduced in 2013-14 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to provide safety and support to the tribals whose livelihood depends on the collection and selling of MFP (Tamarind, Honey, Gum karaya, Sal seed, Mahua seed, Myrobalan, Lac etc.)

 

xi. Institutional Support for Development and Marketing of Tribal Products/Produce: This scheme was introduced in the year 2014-15 to create institutions for the STs to support marketing and development of the activities on which they depend for earning their livelihood. These are assumed to be achieved by some of the measures like market intervention, training and skills-up gradation of the tribal artisans, craftsmen, MFP gatherers etc., R&D/ IPR activity and supply chain infrastructure development.

 

xii. Grants-in-Aid to State Tribal Development Corporative Corporations (STDCCs) etc. for Minor Forest Produce (MFP) Operations.

 

xiii. Support to National/State Scheduled Tribes Finance & Development Corporations.

 

xiv. Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India limited (TRIFED): It helps in marketing the tribal products through the network of its retail outlets “Tribes India” in the country.

 

xv. World Bank Project- Improving Development Programmes in the Tribal Areas.

 

xvi. Research information & Mass Education, Tribal Festival and Others: This scheme is focused on identifying challenges in the socio-economic development of tribals and understanding, promoting and preserving their culture through effective policy and planning. Its major objective is to strengthen the TRIs in preservation of tribal culture, training and capacity building of functionaries and tribal representatives, and providing financial assistance in the form of Grant-in Aid extending to TRIs.

  • Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme

   Umbrella Scheme for Education of ST Children: Scheme of Pre-matric Scholarship/ Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS), Book Bank and up gradation of merit of ST students / Pre matric scholarship for ST students / Scheme of Hostels for ST Girls and Boys /Establishment of Ashram Schools / Vocational Training Centres in Tribal Areas / Scheme of Institute of Excellence/Top class Education

  • The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC): To promote economic development among the STs by providing financial assistance at concessional rates of interest.

    i. Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY): This scheme is specially designed to address the problem of lack of economic development of the ST women. Under this scheme, NSTFDC provides loan upto 90% for scheme costing upto ₹1 lakh at highly concessional interest rate of 4% per annum.

 

ii. Term Loan Scheme: NSTFDC provides term loans costing upto ₹10 lakhs per unit for viable schemes and provides financial assistance of upto 90% of the total cost of the scheme and the balance is met by way of subsidy/ promoter’s contribution or margin money.

 

iii. Micro Credit Scheme: This scheme is especially for the Self-Help Groups (individuals belonging to the ST community and whose annual family income does not exceed the double the poverty line (DPL) income limit- ₹81,000 pa for the rural areas and ₹104,000 for the urban areas based upon the norms of the Planning Commission), for meeting their small loan requirements- upto ₹50,000 per member and ₹5 lakhs per SHG.

 

iv.  Adivasi Shiksha Rrinn Yojana: This scheme is an educational loan scheme designed for the ST students to help them meet the expenditures of their technical and professional education in India. Under this scheme, a financial assistance of upto ₹5 lakhs is provided by the corporation at concessional interest rate of 6% per annum.

 

v. Tribal Forest Dwellers Empowerment Scheme: This scheme is especially designed to create awareness, provide training to beneficiaries, give NSTFDC’s concessional financial assistance, and assist in market linkage etc. to the ST forest dwellers vested land rights under Forest Rights Act, 2006. Under this scheme, NSTFDC provides loan covering upto 90% for the schemes costing upto ₹1 lakh at concessional interest rate of 6% payable by the beneficiaries.

 

vi. Assistance to TRIFED empanelled artisans: It is a scheme to provide concessional finance (upto ₹50,000 for individuals and upto ₹5 lakhs per SHGs/ cooperative societies at interest rate of 4% p.a. for ST women and 6% p.a. for others) to tribal artisans empanelled with TRIFED for purchase of project related assets and working capital.

  • Block Grants

  i. Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-plan (SCA to TSP): It is a special area programme meant foe community based income generating activities for the BPL families consisting of sub-schemes like skill development programmes, construction of Coed/ Ashram Schools/ Hostels, health mapping of tribal people and sanitation measures including toilets. The project is approved and sanctioned to the proposing agencies on the condition that 50% of the funds will be expended for the female beneficiaries.

 

ii. Grant under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India: It consists of sub-schemes like skill development programmes, construction of Coed/ Ashram Schools/ Hostels, health mapping of tribal people and sanitation measures including toilets, and Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). The project is approved and sanctioned to the proposing agencies on the condition that 50% of the funds will be expended for the female beneficiaries.

    3.   SUMMARY

  • The tribes of India constitutes around 8.6% of the total Indian population (Census, 2011), with each tribe different from others in socio-culture-economic background.
  • The major problems of the Indian tribes are in the sectors of education, health, livelihood and culture.
  • The history of the tribal development programmes and welfare schemes can be studied under two phases: the pre-independence phase and the post-independence phase.
  • In the pre-independence phase, the British approach towards the tribals was both ameliorative and isolationist in nature which focused to keep the tribals away from the mainstream population and development, unless introduced through the Christian Missionaries active in some tribal areas.
  • The post-independence approach, adopted a growth-oriented strategy working for the socio-economic upliftment of the tribal communities by the involvement of State, Centre and People.
  • The approaches to tribal development should be tribe-inclusive based on understanding and appreciation of their relationship with their forests, land and resources. It should also involve the division of the tribal regions based upon the geographical contiguity, common resource potentials, viable units of development, common needs and history, along with encouragement of their participation in decision-making regarding their land and resettlement. Delivering quality education and training is important for their growth and realization of potential. Other approaches include: subsistence development, channelization of funds, optimum methodology use etc.
  • Starting from the revolutionary words of the first Prime Minister of India, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, regarding the development of the tribes of India, we have witnessed many reforms and reviews from the governmental departments. Some of these efforts includes: benefits for STs under the 6th Schedule, Article 332 of the Constitution of India, establishment of the nodal Ministry of Tribal Affairs in 1999, the approval of Tribal Sub Plans (TSPs), Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA)/ Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDP), Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs), Micro-Project Agencies (MPA), High Level Committees (HLCs), National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), Project Appraisal Committees (PACs), National Forest Policy, 1988 etc.
  • The major schemes and plans of change for tribal development includes: Conservation-cum-development (CCD) plans including the scheme of Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), Central Sector Schemes (CSS) which includes schemes related to education, scholarship to needy ST students, upliftment of girls, vocational training, grant-in-aid to voluntary organizations, minimum support price (MSP) for tribals, financing schemes, mass education and cultural schemes etc. Other than these are the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) including sub-schemes like Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY), Term Loan Scheme, Micro Credit Scheme, Adivasi Shiksha Rrinn Yojana, Tribal Forest Dwellers Empowerment Scheme, and Assistance to TRIFED empanelled artisans. The Block Grants include: Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-plan (SCA to TSP) and Grant under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India.
you can view video on Tribal Development Programmes and Welfare Schemes

 

References:

  • Sahay, Vijoy.S, and Pradip K. Singh. Indian Anthropology. Allahabad: India: K.K. Publications, 1998
  • Vidyarthi, L.P.”Problems and Prospects of Tribal Development in India.” in Tribal Development in India: Problems and Prospects, edited by Buddhadeb Chaudhuri. Anand Nagar, Delhi: Inter-India Publications, 1982, p.375-388
  • Pratap, D.R.”Approach to Tribal Development.” in Tribal Development in India: Problems and Prospects, edited by Buddhadeb Chaudhuri. Anand Nagar, Delhi: Inter-India Publications, 1982, p.287-294
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