The Ministry of Tribal Affairs in India is dedicated to the welfare and development of the country’s tribal communities, safeguarding their rights, heritage, and socio-economic well-being. Established to address the unique needs and challenges faced by tribal populations, the ministry formulates and implements policies, programs, and schemes aimed at empowering tribal communities and bridging the gap between them and the mainstream society. By promoting education, healthcare, livelihood opportunities, and preservation of tribal culture and traditions, the ministry strives to ensure inclusive growth and socio-economic empowerment for India’s tribal communities. Through its collaborative efforts with various stakeholders, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs endeavors to create a more equitable and inclusive society where every tribal individual can thrive and contribute to the nation’s progress.
Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojna (PMAAGY)
- The Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojna (PMAAGY) is a government scheme, which has replaced the earlier scheme ‘Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS)’. It is set to be implemented from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with the aim of bridging gaps and providing essential infrastructure in villages with a significant tribal population. This is achieved through the convergence of funds available under various schemes in the Central Scheduled Tribe Component.
Key Objectives:
- The main objective of the PMAAGY is to achieve integrated socio-economic development in selected villages using a convergence approach.
Components:
- Preparing Village Development Plan based on needs, potential, and aspirations.
- Maximizing the coverage of individual/family benefit schemes of the Central/State Governments.
- Improving infrastructure in vital sectors like health, education, connectivity, and livelihood.
Development Sectors Targeted:
- The scheme aims to address gaps in eight key sectors of development:
- Road connectivity (Internal and Intervillage/block)
- Telecom connectivity (Mobile/internet)
- School
- Anganwadi Centres
- Health Sub-Centre
- Drinking water facility
- Drainage
- Solid waste management
Funding Allocation:
- A sum of ₹20.38 lakh per village has been allocated as ‘Gap-filling’ for approved activities, which includes administrative expenses under PMAAGY.
Convergence of Resources:
- States/UTs are encouraged to converge resources, including Central/State Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) funds and other financial resources available, for the saturation of gaps in villages identified under PMAAGY.
The PMAAGY is a comprehensive scheme aimed at promoting holistic development in villages with a significant tribal population. By focusing on critical sectors and encouraging the convergence of resources, the scheme endeavours to uplift these communities and bridge developmental gaps effectively.
Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS)
- The Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) scheme is a central sector initiative aimed at providing quality education to students belonging to Scheduled Tribes (ST) from Class 6th to 12th. Its primary objective is to offer educational opportunities in remote areas, ensuring that ST students can access the same level of education and opportunities as their counterparts in more accessible regions.
Key Features:
- Scope and Target: The government plans to establish one EMRS in every block where the ST population exceeds 50%, and the number of tribal persons is at least 20,000 according to the 2011 census. This is contingent on the availability of suitable land provided by the respective State Government.
- Access to Quality Education: EMRSs are designed to offer high-quality education to tribal students without incurring any costs. The focus is on providing education in their own environment, thus addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by tribal communities.
- Implementation and Funding: Funds for the EMRS scheme are allocated by the Ministry to the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous society responsible for executing the program. NESTS, in turn, disburse funds to State Societies and Construction Agencies according to their requirements.
- Funding Source: Until the fiscal year 2019-20, funds for this scheme were provided to states, including Rajasthan, under Grants under Article 275 (1) of the constitution as one of its components. Starting from the year 2020-21, a separate allocation has been earmarked for the EMRS scheme.
EMRS aims to bridge the educational divide and provide tribal students with the tools and opportunities needed to excel academically. By establishing residential schools in regions with a high ST population, the scheme strives to create an inclusive and enabling educational environment for tribal communities.
FAQs
Q1. What is the Ministry of Tribal Affairs?
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is a government body in India dedicated to the upliftment and development of tribal communities across the country. It formulates and implements various policies and programs aimed at promoting the socio-economic development, education, health, and overall welfare of tribal populations.
Q2. What are the key objectives of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs?
The primary objectives of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs include ensuring the protection of tribal rights, preserving their cultural heritage, promoting inclusive growth and development, addressing socio-economic disparities, facilitating tribal livelihood opportunities, and empowering tribal communities through education and skill development initiatives.
Q3. What schemes and programs does the Ministry of Tribal Affairs offer?
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements various schemes and programs such as the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS), Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (VKY), Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), National Tribal Fellowship Scheme (NTFS), and others. These schemes aim to provide targeted support and resources to uplift tribal communities in areas like education, healthcare, infrastructure, and livelihood development.
Q4. How does the Ministry of Tribal Affairs ensure the preservation of tribal culture and heritage?
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs undertakes several initiatives to preserve and promote tribal culture and heritage. This includes the documentation and preservation of tribal languages, traditions, art, and crafts. Additionally, the ministry supports cultural festivals, museums, and tribal research institutions to showcase and safeguard the rich cultural diversity of tribal communities.
Q5. How does the Ministry of Tribal Affairs collaborate with other stakeholders for tribal development?
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs collaborates with various stakeholders including state governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society groups, and international agencies to synergize efforts towards tribal development. These collaborations involve joint planning, resource mobilization, capacity building, and implementation of development projects tailored to the specific needs and aspirations of tribal communities.
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