Ensuring Tribal Development

Scheduled Tribes (ST) constitute approximately 8.6% of population of India numbering around 10.4 crores.

There are over 730 Scheduled Tribes notified under Article 342 of the Constitution of India.

In keeping with the vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayaas,’ the Government of India has focused on development of tribes and conservation of their heritage and culture as a priority.

Challenges

• Health and education
• Loss of art and heritage
• Lack of access to finance
• Skill for entrepreneurship
• Livelihood, drinking water, sanitation, etc.

Government Initiatives

• President of India led the celebrations of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in November 2022 to promote their culture and heritage.
• Ministry of Tribal Affairs disbursed scholarships to 26.37 lakh tribal students through DBT from 1st April 2022 to 31st Dec 2022.
• As per the provisions under Article 275(1) of the 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.
• 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.
• GOAL: Minister of Tribal Affairs launched the second phase of the Going Online as Leaders (GOAL) program. The programme is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Meta (Facebook). GOAL 2.0 initiative aims to digitally upskill 10 lakh youth by on promoting entrepreneurship amongst tribal communities of the country and opening opportunities for them using digital technology.
• Aadi Bazaar, a celebration of the spirit of tribal craft, culture, cuisine & commerce inaugurated at Bhopal Haat, Bhopal.
• PMAAGY: Ministry of Tribal Affairs has revamped the earlier Scheme of ‘Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS) with nomenclature ‘Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojna (PMAAGY),’ for implementation during 2021-22 to 2025-26, which aims at integrated development of villages with significant tribal population covering about population of 4.22 crore (About 40% of the total Tribal Population).