Parliament Question: Empowerment of STs in Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1847 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2025 EMPOWERMENT OF STS IN TAMIL NADU 1847. SHRI ROBERT BRUCE C: Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Union Government is implementing or proposing any special measures for the educational, economic and social development of Scheduled Tribe communities in Tamil Nadu; (b) the details of initiatives being implemented to promote access to quality education, healthcare and welfare support among tribal populations; and (c) the steps being taken by the Ministry to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of such programmes and the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY) (a) to (c): Government is implementing Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) as a strategy for the development of Scheduled Tribes and areas having tribal concentration in the country including the state of Tamil Nadu. Besides Ministry of Tribal Affairs, 41 Ministries/Departments are mandated to allocate certain percentage of their total scheme budget every year for tribal development under DAPST to bridge the developmental gap between Scheduled Tribes (STs) and non-ST populations and for various tribal development projects relating to education, health, agriculture, irrigation, roads, housing, electrification, employment generation, skill development, etc. Schemes along-with funds allocated by the obligated Ministries/Departments for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes are given at Statement 10B of Expenditure Profile of Union Budget document in the link https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/eb/stat10b.pdf. Further, Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing various schemes/programmes for the welfare and development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the country. The details of these schemes are given at Annexure I. An online monitoring system has been put in place by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs with web address: https://stcmis.gov.in for monitoring of DAPST funds. The framework captures data directly from Public Finance Management System (PFMS) and enables MoTA to see the expenditure vis-a-vis allocations of different Ministries/Departments under DAPST. NITI Aayog (DMEO) has conducted an Evaluation Study of Centrally Sponsored Schemes under Package 9, analysing their performance during the period FY 2020–21 to FY 2024–25 which covered the following Centrally Sponsored schemes under Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana:1. Pre-Matric Scholarship 2. Post Matric Scholarship for STs 3. Support to Tribal Research Institutes 4. Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) 5. Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) 6. Pradhan Mantri Adi Adrash Gram Yojna – PMAAGY (previously known as Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme - SCA to TSS). PMAAGY is now revamped and is subsumed under DAJGUA 7. Administrative Cost to States / UTs The Ministry has also undertaken evaluation of the following Central Sector schemes: 1. Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) 2. National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students 3. Scholarship to the ST Students for studies abroad 4. Aid to Voluntary Organizations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes 5. Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) 6. Tribal Research Information, Education, Communication and Events (TRI-ECE) 7. Monitoring, Evaluation, Survey and Social Audit (MESSA) 8. Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribes For proper accounting and monitoring and to ensure their non-divertibility to any other scheme, funds allocated under DAPST are shown by all the obligated Ministries/Depts under the minor head ‘796’ below the functional major Head/Sub-Major Heads in their ‘Detailed Demands for Grants’. Fund released and Number of Beneficiaries in Tamil Nadu under some major schemes of the Ministry are as follows: Details of Fund Released to State Governments/UT Administrations and Beneficiaries thereof under the Scheme of Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students (as on 31st March, 2025) (₹ in lakh) Name of the State/UT F.Y. 2022-23 F.Y. 2023-24* F.Y. 2024-25* Sl.No. Beneficiaries Beneficiaries Fund Released Beneficiaries Fund Released Fund Released 1 Tamil Nadu 404.46 15325 362.34 17580 60.00 19178 *ProvisionalDetails of Fund Released to State Governments/UT Administrations and Beneficiaries the reof under the Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarship for ST students (as on 31st March, 2025 ) (₹ in lakh) Sl. Name of the F.Y. 2022-23 F.Y. 2023-24* F.Y. 2024-25* No. State/UT Fund Beneficiaries Fund Beneficiaries Fund Beneficiaries Released Released Released 1 Tamil Nadu 2854.28 23529 2000.00 22675 2500.00 24913 *Provisional Funds released Scheme of development of PVTG in last three year (as on 31.03.2025) (Rs. in lakh) 2024-25* 2022-23 2023-24 S.N. Name of State Fund Released Fund Released Fund Released 2723.11 907.70 - 1 Tamil Nadu *Provisional Funds released under PM JANMAN for MPCs in last year (as on 31.03.2025) (Rs. in lakh) S.N. State Funds released during 2023-24 Funds released during 2024-25* 1 TAMIL NADU 519.75 2067.125 *ProvisionalPM JANMAN Progress – Line Ministry Sanctioned details as on 31.03.2025 * MoRD (PMAY- MoHFW (NR MoWCD (POSHMoE (SS MoRD (PMGSY) MoJS (JJM) G) HM) AN 2.0) A) S. Name No of Stat Houses Houses Roads san Complet Sanctio SaturatMMUs sancti AWCs AWCs No of Hos . e Sanctio Complection (in Ked (in K ned Vill ed Villaoned and ope sanctio Operati tels sancti ned ted M) M) ages ges rational ned onal oned TAMI L NA 0 0 1370 1212 105 8 1 DU 9004 2318 34 34 MoC (DoT- MoP (RDSS) MNRE MoTA USOF) S. Name of Habitation No. State Habitations MPCs VDVKs HHs HHs HHs HHs planned for covered sanctioned sanctioned Sanctioned Electrified Sanctioned Electrified coverage (No.) (No.) (No.) (No.) TAMIL 1 10673 5089 0 0 158 103 60 37 NADU *Provisional Fund Released to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) State Fund Released (Rs. in lakh) Sl. No 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 (as on 31.03.2025* 1 Tamil Nadu 0.00 25.00 300.00 *ProvisionalTotal amount of loans and number of beneficiaries under the schemes of NSTFDC (Rs. In lakhs) S. State 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 (upto 31.03.2025)* No. Amt. No. of Amt. No. of Amt. No. of beneficiaries beneficiaries beneficiaries 1 Tamil 1087.13 3403 3265.67 7327 1210.39 6437 Nadu *ProvisionalAnnexure I Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) to (c) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1847 for 11.12.2025 by Shri Robert Bruce C regarding “Empowerment of STs in Tamil Nadu” Brief details of major schemes/programmes being implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in the country: (i) Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan: Hon'ble PM launched Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan on 2nd October, 2024. The Abhiyan comprises of 25 interventions implemented by 17-line Ministries and aims to saturate infrastructural gaps in 63,843 villages, improve access to health, education, Anganwadi facilities and providing livelihood opportunities benefiting more than 5 crore tribals in 549 districts and 2,911 blocks in 30 States/UTs in 5 years. The Abhiyan has total budgetary outlay of Rs.79,156 Cr (Central share: ₹56,333 Cr and State share: ₹22,823 Cr). (ii) Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN): Government has launched Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) on 15th November 2023, which is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. The mission with financial outlay of around Rs.24,000 Crore aims to saturate PVTG households and habitations with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, electrification of un-electrified households and sustainable livelihood opportunities in time bound manner in 3 years. (iii) Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM), which has been designed through the merger of two existing schemes for the promotion of tribal livelihood, i.e., “Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP” and “Institutional Support for Development and Marketing of Tribal Products/Produce”. The scheme envisages fixation and declaration of Minimum Support Price for the selected MFP. Procurement and Marketing operation at pre-fixed MSP will be undertaken by the designated State Agencies in the event of the prevailing market price of the particular MFP item falling below the stipulated MSP. Simultaneously other medium and long-term issues like sustainable collection, value addition, infrastructure development, knowledge base expansion of MFP and market intelligence development will also be addressed. The Ministry is implementing the scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM)’ through Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) which envisions to strengthen tribal entrepreneurship initiatives and to facilitate livelihood opportunities by promoting more efficient, equitable, self-managed, optimum use of natural resources, agri / minor Forest Produce (MFPs) / non-farm produce. Under the scheme, financial support is provided to the State Governments for setting up of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) which are the centres of value addition activities of MFPs/Non-MFPs. (iv) Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) was started in the year 2018-19 to provide quality education at par with Navodaya Vidyalaya to the tribal children in their own environment. Under the new scheme, Government decided to establish 440 EMRSs, one EMRS in every block having more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (as per census 2011). 288 EMRS schools were initially funded under Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, which are being upgraded as per the new model.Accordingly, Ministry has set the target to set up total of 728 EMRSs benefiting around 3.5 lakh ST students across the country. (v) Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution: Under the Proviso to Article 275(1) of Constitution, Grants are released to 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. (vi) 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, mobile dispensaries, ten or more bedded hospitals, livelihood, etc. (vii) 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/UT like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir where it is 90:10. For UTs without legislature sharing pattern is 100% Central share. (viii) 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/UT of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir where it is 90:10. For UTs without legislature sharing pattern is 100% Central share. (ix) National Overseas Scholarships for ST Candidates: 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. (x) National Fellowship &Scholarship for Higher Education of ST students: (a) National Scholarship– (Top class) Scheme [Graduate level]: The objective of the scheme is to encourage meritorious ST students for pursuing studies in prescribed courses in any of the 265 institutions of excellence across the country like IITs, AIIMS, IIMs, NIITs, etc. identified by the Ministry. Family income from all sources should not exceed Rs.6.00 lakhs per annum. Scholarship amount includes tuition fees, living expenses and allowances for books and computer. (b) National Fellowship for ST students: 750 fellowships are provided to ST students each year for pursing higher studies in India for MPhil and PhD. Fellowship is granted as per UGC norms.(xi) Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs): Ministry extends support to the State Governments through the Scheme to set up new TRIs where it didn’t exist and to strengthen functioning of existing TRIs to carry out its core responsibility towards Research & Documentations, Training and capacity building, promotion of rich tribal heritage etc. To preserve tribal art and culture, financial assistance is provided to TRI’s to carry out various activities to preserve and promote tribal culture and heritage across the country through research and documentation, maintenance and preservation of art & artefacts, setting up of tribal museum, exchange visits for the tribals to other parts of the State, organizing tribal festivals etc. Funding under this Scheme is 100% grant-in-aid by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to the TRIs on need basis with the approval of Apex Committee. *****