TRIBAL WELFARE SCHEMES IN ASSAM

**Executive Summary** This document outlines the implementation of the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) in Assam, a strategy to bridge the developmental gap for Scheduled Tribes (STs). It highlights the DhartiAabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyaan (DAJGUA), launched on October 2, 2024, with a total outlay of ₹79,156 Cr and a five-year implementation period. Committees are formed at State, District, and Block levels for effective monitoring, with an online system in place for fund tracking. **Key Points / Main Content** **Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST)** * DAPST is a strategy for the development of Scheduled Tribes (STs) and areas with tribal concentration, including Assam. * 41 Ministries/Departments allocate a portion of their budget annually for tribal development under DAPST. * These funds aim to bridge the developmental gap between ST and non-ST populations and support projects in education, health, agriculture, roads, housing, employment, and skill development. * Scheme and program-wise allocations by Ministries/Departments for ST welfare are detailed in Statement 10B of the Union Budget. **Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) Funds** * State Governments are mandated to earmark TSP funds proportional to the ST population (as per Census 2011). * Details of TSP allocation and expenditure by States/UTs are available on the tribal.gov.in website. **DhartiAabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyaan (DAJGUA)** * Launched on October 2, 2024, DAJGUA aims to develop STs through fund convergence across Ministries/Departments under DAPST. * It comprises 25 interventions implemented by 17 line Ministries. * The Abhiyan targets infrastructural gap saturation in 63,843 villages, providing social infrastructure like hostels and mobile medical units. * It aims to benefit over 5 crore tribals across 549 districts and 2,911 blocks in 30 States/UTs over five years. * The total budgetary outlay is ₹79,156 Cr, with a Central share of ₹56,333 Cr and a State share of ₹22,823 Cr. * Allocations for the DAJGUA scheme are detailed in Statement 10BBB of the Union Budget. **Implementation and Monitoring Mechanisms** * Committees have been established at State, District, and Block levels for effective implementation, coordination, and monitoring of DAJGUA. * A State-Level Apex Committee (SLAC) chaired by the Chief Secretary is constituted. * District-Level Committees chaired by the District Collector and Block-Level Implementation Teams (BLITs) comprising departmental officers are set up. * An online monitoring system (stcmis.gov.in) tracks DAPST fund utilization in real-time against allocations, drawing data from the Public Finance Management System (PFMS). * Interactive dashboards on the PM Gati Shakti portal enable ministry-wise and intervention-wise progress monitoring using real-time data. * Nodal officers are appointed within Ministries and Departments to facilitate smoother implementation and reporting. * The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) maintains regular coordination and engagement with obligated Ministries and Departments to review fund utilization and ensure guideline adherence. * Funds allocated under DAPST are to be accounted for and monitored under minor head ‘796' to prevent diversion to other schemes. **Impact Analysis** **Scheduled Tribes (ST) Population and Areas with Tribal Concentration** * **Impact:** Direct beneficiaries of development projects and infrastructure improvements through DAPST and DAJGUA. Increased access to education, health, housing, employment, and skill development opportunities. * **Action Required:** Participate in and utilize the services and schemes provided under DAPST and DAJGUA. **Ministries/Departments Involved in DAPST** * **Impact:** Required to allocate a portion of their budget for tribal development and implement specific interventions under DAPST and DAJGUA. Responsibility for fund utilization and reporting. * **Action Required:** Continue to earmark and allocate funds as per DAPST guidelines. Implement assigned interventions under DAJGUA. Appoint Nodal Officers for smoother implementation and reporting. Facilitate data provision to the online monitoring system. **State Governments** * **Impact:** Responsible for earmarking TSP funds in proportion to the ST population. Involved in the implementation and monitoring of DAJGUA through constituted committees. * **Action Required:** Earmark TSP funds from their own resources. Actively participate in the State-Level Apex Committee and facilitate the functioning of District-Level Committees and Block-Level Implementation Teams. **District Collectors** * **Impact:** Chair District-Level Committees responsible for the implementation, coordination, and monitoring of DAJGUA at the district level. * **Action Required:** Lead and chair the District-Level Committee to ensure effective grassroots implementation of interventions. **Nodal Officers (within Ministries/Departments)** * **Impact:** Responsible for facilitating smoother implementation and reporting of tribal-related schemes. * **Action Required:** Ensure effective implementation and reporting of tribal-related schemes within their respective Ministries/Departments. Facilitate coordination and engagement with MoTA.

Key Entities Referenced