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Empowering Tribal Communities in India
Context:
According to the 2011 Census, India boasts a rich tapestry of tribal communities, with the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population standing at 10.45 crore or 8.6% of the total population.
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- Comprising over 705 distinct groups, these communities often inhabit remote and inaccessible areas.
- To uplift and support them, the Indian government has launched a multitude of schemes and policies focused on sustainable development, cultural preservation, and socio-economic empowerment.
Background
- Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP): Initiated in 1974-75, marking the start of focused tribal development efforts.
- Evolution of Plans: TSP evolved into the Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) and later the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST).
- Financial Commitment:
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- DAPST Budget: Increased from ₹25,000 crore annually to ₹1.2 lakh crore in 2023-24.
- Union Budget 2024-25: Allocation for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs raised to ₹13,000 crore, a 73.60% increase from the previous year.
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Major Initiatives:
- Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan:
- Launched on October 2, 2024, in Hazaribag, Jharkhand.
- Outlay: ₹79,150 crore.
- Benefits: Over 5 crore tribal people across 63,000 villages.
- Focus: Social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihoods.
- Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS):
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- Provides quality education for ST children in remote areas.
- These schools aim to facilitate access to higher education and employment opportunities, focusing on holistic development.
- Recent inauguration of 40 EMRS and foundation for 25 more with a total investment of over ₹2,800 crore.
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- Capacity: Each school accommodates 480 students from Class VI to XII.
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- These institutions are designed to match the standards of Navodaya Vidyalayas, featuring specialised facilities to preserve local tribal art and culture while promoting sports and skill development.
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- Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN):
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- Laid foundation for projects worth ₹1,360 crore.
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- Focus: Road connectivity, Anganwadis, school hostels, electrification, and clean water access.
- Electrification: Over 75,800 households from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) electrified.
Key Government Schemes for Tribal Empowerment
- Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes: Aimed at reducing dropout rates, these scholarships support ST students from classes IX to post-graduate studies.
- National Overseas Scholarship for ST Students: This scheme offers opportunities for meritorious ST students to pursue advanced studies abroad, reserving 30% of awards for female candidates.
- Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) Development Program: Targeting the most vulnerable communities, this program focuses on improving access to healthcare, education, and basic amenities.
- Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs): Promote research on tribal welfare and culture, organising cultural festivals and exchange programs.
- Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST): This ensures central ministries implement welfare schemes for tribal communities, with significant budget backing.
- National Fellowship for ST Students: This digital initiative supports tribal students in higher education, ensuring timely financial assistance.
- National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC): It provides concessional loans for income-generating activities.
- Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED): It promotes tribal products through various platforms, creating market linkages for artisans.
- Aadi Mahotsav and Cultural Festivals: These events showcase tribal heritage and support skill development and economic empowerment.
Government Schemes for Tribal Empowerment:
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Socio-Economic Empowerment Initiatives:
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- Term Loan Scheme: Provides loans for viable business units, offering soft loans up to 90% of unit cost with 5-10-year repayment terms.
- Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojna (AMSY): Offers concessional loans of up to ₹2 lakhs at 4% interest specifically for tribal women.
- Micro Credit Scheme: Supports tribal self-help groups (SHGs) with loans of up to ₹5 lakhs per SHG.
- Adivasi Shiksha Rinn Yojana (ASRY): Offers soft loans to tribal students for higher education, with interest subsidies.
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Infrastructure Development:
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- Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY): Targets 36,428 villages with 50% tribal population for basic infrastructure development, including in Aspirational Districts identified by NITI Aayog.
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Health Initiatives:
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- Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission: Launched on July 1, 2023, to provide accessible care for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and improve treatment quality through awareness campaigns and universal screening.
- Mission Indradhanush: Ensures full immunisation for children and pregnant women, especially in Adivasi communities, including COVID-19 vaccinations.
- Nikshay Mitra Initiative: Provides diagnostic, nutritional, and vocational support to tuberculosis (TB) patients from tribal communities.
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Research and Cultural Preservation:
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- Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRI): Empowers TRIs for research, documentation, training, and preserving tribal cultural heritage.
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Recognition and Memorials:
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- Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums: 10 museums sanctioned to honour tribal freedom fighters.
- Mangarh Dham Development: A national memorial for the Bhil freedom fighters who died in 1913, to be developed by the governments of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
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Conclusion:
The Indian government’s initiatives for tribal empowerment are transforming the socio-economic landscape for these communities. Through programs like the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, EMRS, and PM-JANMAN, the government aims to bridge development gaps, ensuring tribal populations are integrated into India’s growth narrative while preserving their rich cultural heritage.
