Programmes and Schemes

Special Area Programme-Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Plan (SCA to TSP)

  • This is a major programme administered by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs under which, grant is provided to the States Governments based on annual allocation made by the Planning Commission. This is treated as an additive to the State Plan, for areas where State Plan provisions are not normally forthcoming to bring about economic development to tribals.
  • The programme was launched during 1974-75 and till the end of the IX Five Year Plan, the SCA to TSP was meant for filling up critical gaps in the family-based income- generating activities of TSP.
  • From the Tenth Five Year Plan period, the objective and scope of SCA to TSP, was expanded to cover employment-cum-income generation activities and infrastructure incidental thereto. Besides family-based activities, other activities run by the Self-Help Groups (SHGs)/ Community are also to be taken up. The ultimate objective of extending SCA to TSP is to boost the demand based income-generation programmes and thus raise the economic and social status of tribals.

Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution

  • The Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides Funds to State Government having Scheduled Tribe ‘Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution’.
  • The objective of the Scheme is promotion of the welfare of Scheduled Tribes and up gradation of the levels of administration in Scheduled Areas.

TRIFED

Market Development of Tribal Products/Produce is a Central Sector Scheme under which the Ministry of Tribal Affairs extends Grant-in-Aid to Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) for four main activities: (i) Retail Marketing Development Activity; (ii) Minor Forest Produce (MFP) Marketing Development Activity; (iii) Vocational Training, Skill Up-gradation; and (iv) Capacity Building of ST Artisans and MFP; and Research and Development/Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Activity.

TRIFED is now functioning both as a service provider and market developer for tribal products. Further, in its role as a capacity builder, it imparts training to ST Artisans and Minor Forest Produce (MFP) gatherers. TRIFED is marketing its products through 39 outlets (26 outlets are its own and 13 outlets are on a consignment basis in association with state-level organisations).

National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC)

It is a Government of India owned undertaking under the ministry of Tribal Affairs. It provides financial assistance for income generating schemes for the economic development of scheduled tribes. The broad objectives of NSTFDC are identification of economic activities of importance to the scheduled tribes so as to generate self-employment and raise their level of income, upgradation of skills and processes used by the scheduled tribes by providing both institutional and on the job training.

Vocational Training Centre in Tribal Areas

The Scheme of Vocational Training Centre in Tribal Areas was launched in 1992–93 to develop skills among the ST youth to enable them to gain employment and self-employment opportunities and improving their socio-economic conditions by enhancing their incomes. Under the scheme, the training for trades including modern trades are being provided through ITIs Polytechnics, Computer Training Centres.

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