NEW DELHI, February 23 (Manipur Information Centre): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing Special Area Programmes, Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes for the socio-economic development of Scheduled Tribes in the country.
The projects for the development of Scheduled Tribes under the schemes and programmes of the Ministry are implemented through the State and UT Governments and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
This was stated by the Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Ranee Narah in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Friday.
Details of the 14 schemes/programmes of the Ministry are Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Plan for employment-cum-income generation activities; Grant under Article 275 (1) of the Constitution of India for promotion of welfare of Scheduled Tribes and upgradation of the levels of administration in Scheduled Areas.
A part of grant under Article 275 (1) of the Constitution is used for setting up of “Ekalavya Model Residential Schools” for providing quality education to ST students from class VI to XII; Scheme of Strengthening Education among Schedules Tribe (ST) Girls in Low Literacy Districts; Scheme of construction of hostels for ST Girls and Boys; Scheme of Establishment of Ashram Schools in Tribal Sub Plan Areas; Vocational Training in Tribal Areas. The Schemes of Vocational Training in Tribal Areas is a self-employment or employment oriented scheme aimed at benefiting ST boys and Girls equally; Post-Matric Scholarship for ST students; Pre-Matric scholarship for ST Students for class IX-X; Upgradation of Merit of ST students; Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for STs; Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship for STs; Top class Education for ST students; Grants-in aid to Voluntary Organizations, under which residential, non-residential schools, computer training centres and knitting, weaving & handloom training centres run by NGOs for ST students are supported, apart from hospitals, mobile dispensaries etc.; and implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 which seeks to recognize and vest forest rights over forest land in forest dwelling STs and other traditional forest dwellers.
No specific incident of tribals surviving by eating roots of trees and wild weeds or plants have been reported to this Ministry. However, main objective of the schemes and programmes administered by the Government of India and those implemented by State and UT Governments, is their socio-economic development including education. Accordingly, access to education enables them to explore alternative livelihoods. Implementation of the schemes/programmes of the Governments for the upliftment of tribal people is an on-going process.
The Ministry laid on the table the Scheme-wise and State-wise details of fund released and target achieved during the last three year and current year.
During the year 2009-10, the Ministry allocated Rs 1055.59 lakhs and released Rs 527.80 lakhs for Manipur under Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Plan. During the year 2010-11, both allocated and released amount for the State was Rs 1187 lakhs. During the last financial year 2011-12, the Ministry allocated Rs 1390 lakhs for Manipur and released an amount of Rs 705 lakhs to the State. During the current year 2012-13, the ministry allocated Rs 1583 lakhs and released Rs 1230 lakhs as on date.
Under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India, the Ministry allocated Rs 783 lakhs and released Rs 352.50 lakhs in 2009-10, allocated and released Rs 819 lakhs in 2010-11, Rs 937 lakhs in 2011-12 and Rs 1031 lakhs in 2012-13 for Manipur.
The grant-in-aid of Rs 1031 lakhs was released to Manipur during the year 2010-11 under the Scheme of Hostels for ST Girls and Boys.
Under the Scheme of Post Matric Scholarship for ST students, the Ministry released a sum of Rs 2163.28 lakhs and Rs 2460.01 lakhs for the years 2009-10 and 2010-11 respectively. Out of Rs 4742.29 lakhs released by the Ministry in the last year, Manipur utilized a sum of Rs 4731.05 lakhs. During the current year 2012-13, the Ministry released a sum of Rs 4243.64 lakhs for Manipur under the scheme.
The Ministry released an amount Rs 57.50 lakhs, Rs 49 lakhs, Rs 55.60 lakhs and Rs 68.64 lakhs to the Tribal research Institutes in Manipur in 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, and 2012-13 respectively. For organization of tribal festivals in Manipur, the Ministry also released a sum of Rs 7.50 lakhs and 10 lakhs respectively in the year 2011-12 and 2012-13.