Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department

Policy Note - 2006 - 2007

Demand No. 4

II. TRIBAL WELFARE

The need of the hour for Tribal Development is to reduce the gap between the Tribal and Non-Tribal population with respect to economic, educational and social status. The objective is to integrate the Tribals into the main stream of economic and social development. A separate Directorate has been functioning for the Welfare of the Tribals since 1.4.2000. The Directorate of Tribal Welfare pays special attention to 14 Districts where Scheduled Tribes concentration is more. Out of the 36 Scheduled Tribe communities in the State, 6 Tribal Communities (i.e.) Toda, Kota, Kurumbas, Irular, Paniyan and Kattunayakan have been identified as Primitive Tribal Groups. The other Tribals living in scattered areas are classified as Dispersed Tribes. The area where the population of Scheduled Tribes exceeds 50% of the total population is declared as Integrated Tribal Development programme area. The Integrated Tribal Development Programme area exists in 7 districts.

26. Tribal Sub Plan

The Government of Tamil Nadu has adopted the Tribal Sub Plan concept to improve their socio economic conditions. Tribal Sub Plan is being implemented since 1976-77. Accordingly, all the Departments while allocating the Annual Plan Outlay, for the Tribal Sub Plan would ensure that Tribals are benefited by their welfare and development programmes, at least to the level of their population in the State. As per 2001 census, Scheduled Tribe population in Tamil Nadu is 6.51 lakhs. Tribal Sub Plan is implemented through 21 Sectoral Departments. The schemes under Tribal Sub Plan are implemented as divisible and indivisible during 10th five year plan onwards. Nodal Officers are appointed in all Sectoral Departments to monitor the schemes implemented under Tribal Sub Plan.

The Tribal Sub Plan is getting facelift during 2006-07 in Tamil Nadu. During the year 2006-07, the State Annual Plan outlay is Rs.12,500/- crore. Out of which, as per sub head 796, meant for Tribals in the Plan Budget Link Book, an amount of Rs.23.68 crores has been allocated under Divisible Scheme, which is higher than the allocation made during the previous years. Further Rs.139.47 crores under indivisible scheme will be allotted to Tribal Sub Plan. The total flow to Tribal Sub Plan for the year 2006-07 is Rs.163.15 crores.

The details of flow and expenditure under Tribal Sub Plan for the years 2002-03 to 2005-06 for the X Five Year Plan are given below:-

(Rs. in lakhs)

27. Basic Infrastructure for Tribals

(a) Housing Scheme

Housing Schemes are implemented by the Government in order to improve the standard of living of the Tribals, living in hill areas as well as in plains. Based on this, every year houses are constructed at the rate of Rs.34,000/- per house in plain area and Rs.36,500/- per house in hill area. The entire cost of this scheme is borne by the Government. During the year 2006-07 a sum of Rs.16.80 lakhs has been allocated for this scheme.

(b) Provision of drinking water supply

The Tribal areas where there is need for drinking water are identified and necessary provision is made. Every year funds are being allocated for this purpose. This scheme will be continued during 2006-07 with a sum of Rs.32.00 lakhs.

(c) Economic Development

LAMP Co-operative Societies have been formed not only to market the produce of the Tribal people by eliminating middlemen but also to provide short and medium term credits and to supply essential consumer articles to the Tribals at fair prices. There are 19 such societies functioning in Tamil Nadu.

Four Vocational guidance centres in the hill area of Uthagamandalam, Sankarapuram, Kollimalai and Javvadumalai and one Industrial Training Institute at Sankarapuram in Villupuram District are functioning for providing job to the Tribals. 25 Primary Health Centres, 76 Health Sub Centres, 7 Siddha hospitals, 5 Government Dispensaries and one Siddha Mobile Units are functioning in the Tribal area for the benefit of the Tribals.

(d) Family – oriented Income Generating Schemes

Family - oriented programmes for the economic development of Primitive and Dispersed Tribes have been charted out and Sheep units are being supplied. A sum of Rs.10.14 lakhs has been allocated during the year 2006-07 for this scheme.

(e) Centrally Sponsored Schemes

The following Centrally Sponsored Schemes are being implemented in Tribal Areas:-

(i) The Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Plan

Under this scheme, funds are being provided primarily for income generating project and a part of it (not more than 30%) for provision of infrastructure facilities for such income generating scheme. A sum of Rs.290.99 lakhs has been allocated during 2005-2006. An incentive amount of Rs.32.71 lakhs has been sanctioned under this scheme for the year 2005-06. During the year 2006-07 the Government of India have allocated Rs.327.00 lakhs under this scheme, tentatively.

(ii) Grants under Article 275 (1) of Constitution of India

Under Article 275 (1) of the Constitution of India, infrastructure facilities for Tribals are taken up. A Model Residential Higher Secondary School was opened under this scheme in Vellimalai of Kalrayan Hills in Villupuram District. The Government of India have sanctioned a sum of Rs.231.00 lakhs for infrastructure development and a sum of Rs.105.00 lakhs for recurring expenditure of Eklyva Model residential Higher Secondary School at Vellimalai for the year 2005-06. One more Model Residential Higher Secondary School will be opened during 2006-07. Government of India have also released a sum of Rs.1.00 crore for the Model Higher Secondary School at Karumanthurai in Salem District. During the year 2006-07 the Government of India tentatively allocated funds to the tune of Rs.251.00 lakhs under this scheme. Out of which Rs.135.00 lakhs has been provided for infrastructure development schemes and the remaining amount of Rs.116.00 lakhs for Minor Irrigation schemes.

(iii) Central Sector Scheme for Development of Primitive Tribal Groups

During the year 2005-06, under Central Sector Scheme for development of Primitive Tribal Groups, the Government of India have sanctioned a sum of Rs.79.55 lakhs for the construction of 225 houses and training / awareness camp for 400 trainees in 8 districts. During the year 2006-07, a sum of Rs.255.00 lakhs have been allocated tentatively by Government of India under this scheme.

(iv) Tribal Research Centre and Tribal Museum

A Tribal Museum has been set up in the Tribal Research Centre at Ooty at a total outlay of Rs.200.00 lakhs. Already a sum of Rs.120.00 lakhs was released for this scheme. The Tribal Research Centre functioning at Ooty has also taken up activities such as research on Tribals, training to Tribals, making baseline survey of Tribals etc.

(v) Janashree Bima Yojana

Considering the high death rate among the Primitive Tribal Groups, an insurance scheme has been specially designed and implemented for those who fall below the poverty line or marginally above it, in the age group of 18 to 58 years in order to give social security to such people. From 2004-05 onwards, Government of India have released a sum of Rs.40.00 lakhs towards the payment of premium of at Rs.100/- per member per year for 5 years for 8000 members of Primitive Tribal Groups. For the year 2005-06 Government of India have released a sum of Rs.80.00 lakhs to implement the above scheme. 16,000 members of Primitive Tribal Groups have been covered under this scheme. The above scheme tenure is for 3 years. In the final phase, around 31,000 members of Primitive Tribal Groups will be benefited during the year 2006-07.

28. Other Schemes for Tribals

Tribal Self Help Groups

Emphasis is laid on Self Help Groups to empower Tribal women. 3,410 Self Help Groups consisting of 51,544 Tribal Women have been formed and are functioning successfully in the State.

(b) Hill Area Development Programme (HADP) Scheme

For the Welfare of Tribals residing in Nilgiris District, the Hill Area Development Programme is being implemented by the Collector of Nilgiris. In the year 2006-07, a sum of Rs.566.84 lakhs is earmarked for this scheme.

(c) Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) Project

The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) project works are being implemented in three districts namely Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur and Nilgiris. Considering the Medical need of the Primitive Tribes, a cadre of Tribal Welfare Volunteers and Dais has been formed and continuous training programme is being imparted to them.

III. TAMILNADU ADI DRAVIDAR HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (TAHDCO)

Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation was formed for the exclusive development of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe. It is functioning since 1974 and it is implementing various economic development schemes for the upliftment of the socio economic status of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes. The Corporation has two distinct wings viz. Technical Wing and Development Wing. The Technical Wing is executing the construction works such as hostels, school buildings, teacher’s quarters, class-rooms etc. The Development Wing of the Corporation is implementing welfare schemes by formulating need-based economic development schemes for the economic development of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes.

29. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

(a) Decentralisation in planning process

The District Action Plan is prepared and implemented by the District Collectors, based on the local needs and potentials available in the districts. The selection of beneficiaries has been decentralized and selection is made at block level.

(b) Collector’s Discretionary Fund

A new scheme called Collector’s Discretionary Fund was introduced to facilitate the District Collectors to help the highly marginalized Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who are beyond the reach of regular schemes to start micro level income generating activities on a cent percent subsidy basis.

(c) Special State Assistance Scheme

The Government of India releases every year Rs.50.00 crores as Special Central Assistance to the Government of Tamil Nadu for the economic development of Scheduled Caste. The above fund is utilised for Hindu Scheduled Caste population only. It does not cover the economic development of the Scheduled Caste converted to Christianity. Hence to extend the benefits now availed by the Hindu Scheduled Caste Population to the Scheduled Caste converted to Christianity also, for the first time in the history of the State, the Government has instituted a "Special State Assistance Scheme". For this scheme, a sum of Rs.25.00 crores have been allocated for the year 2006-07.

(d) Economic development programmes for women

The focus of schemes has been shifted from benefiting only individual beneficiaries to largely for women’s Self Help Groups (SHGs) by allocating 75% of allocation of the District Action Plan to Adi Dravidar and Tribal Self Help Groups.

(e) Land Purchase Scheme

The empowerment of women would enhance the family status as a whole and the society at large. The Land Purchase Scheme is meant only for women from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe community. Under this scheme, financial assistance to 8000 Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe women in the pattern of 50% subsidy and 50% bank loan is given for purchase of land, land development, minor irrigation facilities and animal husbandry activities. The maximum project assistance will be Rs.2.00 lakhs, out of which Rs.1.00 lakh is for purchase of land and Rs.1.00 lakh for other components. This scheme is exclusively for poor women belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe. In addition, provisions have been made to provide agricultural power connections on priority basis to these Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries. Further exemption of 75% of the stamp duty and registration fees will be extended to the beneficiaries.

(f) Financial assistance to individual beneficiaries

Under the individual beneficiaries programme, individuals will be given financial assistance for self-employment ventures, as per their choice.

(g) Employment Oriented Training Programmes

To provide more employment opportunities to Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe youth, various training programmes are given to them. Vocational training programmes for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe youth have been streamlined by forming District Vocational Training Selection Committee under the Chairmanship of District Collector. These training programmes are conducted by Central and State Government training institutes and institutes approved by the Director of Technical Education, Director of Employment and Training and Universities. The Vocational Training Programme is imparted to a large number of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe youth in order to encourage them to seek high potential employment.

(h) Special Economic Projects

A scheme called "Special Economic Projects" (SEP) has been launched to uplift the standard of living of the specific group of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe families. Income generating activities, for a regular source of income, are identified by the District Collectors and all necessary financial assistance in the form of project will be provided. This will benefit 6000 Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe individual beneficiaries, with a subsidy-cum-loan assistance of Rs.15.00 crores.

(i) Self Employment Programme for Youth

A scheme called "Self Employment Programme for Youth" (SEPY) is being implemented in which, specific viable activities are identified and selected youth are trained and escorted by an agency to start micro enterprises on a sustainable basis. This will benefit 4,000 Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe youths with an assistance of Rs.11.25 crores.

To enable the Adi Dravidars, who live below the poverty line to start income generating activities and also to equip the jobless educated youth to secure good jobs, technical training programmes will be imparted. During the year 2006-07, a sum of Rs.206.95 crores will be provided through TAHDCO to 1.95 lakh Adi Dravidar youths for this purpose.

(j) National Scheme for Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers

The abhorrent practice of manual scavenging will be put to an end and alternative jobs will be provided to these workers. In accordance to this, action is being taken to provide training in other vocations and to rehabilitate the identified 10,000 persons at a cost of Rs.58.45 crores.

National Scheme for Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers has been reformulated to assist scavengers and their dependents by organizing them in the form of Self Help Groups for giving training and economic assistance.

30. Conclusion

During the inauguration of Dr.Ambedkar Mani Mandapam on 10.06.2000, Honourable Chief Minister’s clarion call was that "We shall be Tamilians; We all shall be Humans". The clarion call will be fulfilled under the able and dynamic leadership of Honourable Chief Minister by consistently taking efforts to implement the above mentioned productive schemes in a well established and schematic manner, to make the people live with strength and dignity.

IV. FINANCIAL OUTLAY

BUDGET ESTIMATE FOR THE YEAR 2006-2007