Analysis Of Yojana Magazine: Schemes For Development Of Schedule Tribes

 

Yojana Magazine is a very important and indispensable source for UPSC Civil Services Exam Preparation. Here, we come with ”Analysis Of Yojana Magazine” which covers the monthly Yojana Magazine keeping in mind the demand of UPSC, particularly from the topics of important government schemes.

In ‘‘Analysis Of Yojana Magazine,” we cover each and every topic of the Yojana edition of a particular month and provide an easy-to-understand gist.

This topic-wise analysis is prepared from the July 2022 edition of the monthly Yojana Magazine.

 

Schemes For Development Of Schedule Tribes: Introduction

 

• There are over 730 Scheduled Tribes (STs) notified under Article 342 of the Constitution of India, spread over different States and Union Territories (UTs) of the Country.
• Government is implementing Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP)/Schedule Tribe Component (STC)/Development Action Plan for STs (DAPST) for overall development of tribal people across the country.

 

Schemes For Development Of Schedule Tribes: Why privileges or special rights for Scheduled Tribes?

 

• Scheduled Tribes being backward and isolated from the rest of the population are not able to exercise their rights. In order to empower them to be able to exercise their rights special provisions have been made in the Constitution.
• Framers of the Constitution took note of this fact and incorporated enabling provisions in the Constitution in the form of reservation and measures to be taken to empower them to be able to avail the opportunities.
• Some people call these provisions as privileges for the Scheduled Tribes but these are only the enabling provisions so that Scheduled Tribes can avail the opportunities and exercise their rights and safeguards.

 

Schemes For Development Of Schedule Tribes: Special Grants and Scholarships

 

Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution

Under the programme of Provision to Article 275(1) of Constitution, Grants are released to 26 States, having ST population for raising the level of Administration in Scheduled Areas and for the welfare of tribal people. This is a Special Area Programme and 100% grants are provided to States. Funds are released to the state governments depending on the felt needs of ST population to bridge the gap in infrastructure activities in the fields of education, health, skill development, livelihood, drinking water, sanitation, etc.

Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

The scheme of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) was introduced in the year 1997-98 to impart quality education exclusively to ST children with an objective to provide quality middle and high-level education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote areas in order to enable them to avail of reservation in high and professional educational courses and get jobs in government and public and private sectors.

To realize this mission, it has been decided that by the year 2022, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons, will have an Eklavya Model Residential School. Eklavya schools will be on par with Navodaya Vidyalayas and will have special facilities for preserving local art and culture besides providing training in sports and skill development.

Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary Organizations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes

Under the scheme of Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary Organizations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes, the Ministry funds projects in the fields of Education and Health, covering residential schools, non-residential schools, hostels and mobile dispensaries, ten or more bedded hospitals, etc.

Pre – Matric Scholarships to ST students

The scheme is applicable to students who are studying in Classes IX –X. Parental income from all sources should not be more than Rs. 2.50 lakhs per annum. Scholarship of Rs. 225/-per month for day scholars and Rs. 525/-per month for hostellers is given for a period of 10 months in a year. Scholarship is disbursed through the State Government/UT Administration. Funding ratio is 75:25 between Centre and States for all States except North East and Hills States like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir where it is 90:10. For UT’s without legislature sharing pattern is 100% Central Share.

Post Matric Scholarship to ST students

The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to the Scheduled Tribe students studying at post-matriculation or post-secondary levels to enable them to complete their education. Parental income from all sources should not be more than Rs. 2.50 lakhs per annum. Compulsory fees charged by educational institutions are reimbursed subject to the limit fixed by the concerned State Fee fixation committee and scholarship amount of Rs. 230 to Rs. 1200 per month, depending upon the course of study is paid. The Scheme is implemented by the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. Funding ratio is 75:25 between Centre and States for all States except NE and Hilly States/UTs of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir where it is 90:10. For UT’s without legislature sharing pattern is 100% Central Share.

National Overseas Scholarships for ST Candidates for Studying Abroad

The Scheme provides for financial assistance to selected students to pursue Post Graduation, PhD & Post-Doctoral study abroad. A total of 20 awards are given every year. Of these, 17 awards are for STs and 3 awards for students belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Parental/family income from all sources should not exceed Rs. 6.00 lakhs per annum.

National Fellowship & Scholarship for Higher Education of ST students:

1. National Scholarship – (Top class) Scheme [Graduate level]
2. National Fellowship for ST students

 

Schemes For Development Of Schedule Tribes: Central Assistance For Tribal Economy

 

Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS)

Under scheme of Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS) 100% grants is provided to the State Governments for activities related to education, health, sanitation, water supply, livelihood, skill development, Ashram Schools, Boys and Girls Hostels, Vocational Training Centers (VTCs), minor infrastructure, etc. to bridge the gap between Scheduled Tribe (ST) population and others as a critical gap filling measure.

Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

The scheme of Development of PVTGs covers 75 identified PVTGs among Scheduled Tribes in 18 States and UT of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Institutional Support for Development & Marketing of Tribal Products/Produce (Central Sector Scheme)

The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) is a Multi-State Cooperative Society set up in 1987 under the Multi State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984 (now the Multi State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002) which functions both as a service provider and market developer for tribal products. It markets tribal products through the network of its retail outlets ‘TRIBES INDIA’ in the country. As a capacity builder, it also imparts training to Scheduled Tribe Artisans and Minor Forest Produce (MFP) gatherers.

The mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) & Development of Value Chain for MFP

A Scheme “Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP” was introduced by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in the year 2013-14.

Support to National/State Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development  Corporations (NSTFDC/STFDCS)

National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) is an apex organisation set up on 10.04.2001, exclusively for economic development of Scheduled Tribes.

 

Schemes For Development Of Schedule Tribes: Preserving Tribal Culture

 

Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)

Within the set of TRIs, there are cultural museum, library, training centre, research wing etc.

Tribal Festivals, Research Information and Mass Education

Through the scheme, promotion of rich tribal cultural heritage, dissemination of information and creation of awareness are given attention to which includes organization of Tribal Craft & Food Festivals, Sports, Music, Dance & Photo Competitions, Science, Art & Craft Expos, Workshops, Seminars, Production of documentary films.