Tribal Affairs India

Grants for Tribal Research Institutes

2012-01-27T05:10:00.000-08:00

The grant is given by the Government to the Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) set up by various State Governments on 50:50 sharing basis and 100 per cent grant to Union Territory Administration, under the scheme Grants-in-aid to Tribal Research Institutes. At present, TRIs are functioning in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura and Andaman and Nicobar Island in UT Administration.

The expenditure is shared between the Centre and State Government for activities such as conducting research and evaluation studies, collection of data, conducting training, seminars / workshops on issues relevant to tribals, documentation of culture and languages of different tribal communities, customary laws, setting up of tribal museum for exhibiting tribal artifacts etc.

Preservation and promotion of tribal culture including tribal languages is an ongoing activity of TRIs. Projects such as setting up of tribal museums to preserve tribal art and artifacts and preparation of dictionaries, grammars, primers etc. in local tribal languages have been undertaken by TRIs. Besides these, the TRIs also organise tribal festivals in their States as an effort to promote tribal culture.

The funds sanctioned/released and its utilization reported by the State Governments during the last three years and the current year is given below:

FUNDS RELEASED TO TRIBAL RESEARCH INSTITUTES (Rs in lakhs)

S.N0	Name of State/TRIs	2008-09		2009-10		2010-11		2011-12
S.N0	Name of State/TRIs	2008-09		2009-10		2010-11		2011-12
		Sanctioned/ Released	Utilized	Sanctioned/ Released	Utilized	Sanctioned/ Released	Utilized	Released
1	Andhra Pradesh	44.29	21.18	35.576	7.71	0.00	0.00	0.00
2	Assam	50.75	12.125	17.436	35.81	32.69	34.84	40.84
3	Jharkhand	29.87	28.18	41.79	41.79	0.00	0.00	88.31
4	Gujarat	8.65	8.65	95.83	74.31	39.91	39.91	15.00
5	Kerala	0.00	0.00	13.31	13.31	40.00	38.87	0.00
6	M.Pradesh	388.32	388.32	81.388	80.80	77.36	77.36	54.27
7	Maharashtra	48.45	43.98	74.776	44.43	30.67	26.62	0.00
8	Manipur	0.00	0.00	57.50	57.50	49.00	49.00	55.50
9	Odisha	77.25	77.25	50.31	29.04	64.83	0.00	0.00
10	Rajasthan	0.00	0.00	23.00	4.175	15.82	2.85	0.00
11	Tripura	39.13	39.13	47.25	47.25	40.00	40.00	0.00
12	West Bengal	0.38	0.00	36.815	0.00	0.436	0.00	0.00
13	Himachal Pradesh	0.00	0.00	16.57	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
14	Karnataka	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	8.50
15	Chhattisgarh	0.00	0.00	16.00	16.00	15.5	0.00	0.00
	Total	687.09	618.815	607.551	452.125	406.216	309.45	262.42
	Total	687.09	618.815	607.551	452.125	406.216	309.45	262.42

Developmental Programmes for Tribals

2012-01-23T05:30:00.000-08:00

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing Central Sector, Centrally Sponsored and Special Area Programme for the integrated socio-economic development of all Scheduled Tribes in the country. These schemes/programmes are meant for welfare of the tribal people, including those living in Maoist affected areas. A list of major schemes/programmes of the Ministry is Annexed. The Integrated Action Plan (IAP) was approved on 25.11.2010 for 60 selected tribal and backward districts of nine States with a block grant of Rs. 25 crore and Rs. 30 crore per district during 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively. This grant is utilized by the implementing agencies for a plan drawn up by District Level Committee which includes activities for public infrastructure and services such as school Building, Angwanwadi Centres, Primary Health Centres, Drinking Water, Electric lights in public places etc.

Implementation of the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) in Selected Tribal and Backward Districts has commenced and Rs. 25 crore per district for 2010-11 has been released. For the year 2011-12 an amount of Rs. 10 crore per district has also been released to all the districts and the next tranche of Rs. 10 crore to 40 district i.e. an amount of Rs. 1000 crore has been released. The expenditure reported by the districts is Rs. 1421 crore i.e. about 56.84% of the total amount of Rs. 2500 crore released so far. Planning Commission has also developed a Management Information System (MIS) to monitor the progress of implementation of the major schemes in these Selected Tribal and Backward Districts covered under the Integrated Action Plan (IAP).

MAJOR SCHEMES/PROGRAMMES OF THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS FOR THE WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT OF SCHEDULED TRIBES

Central Sector Schemes

1. Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary Orgainzations (under which residential, non-residential schools, computer training centrers and knitting, weaving & handloom training centres run by NGOs for Scheduled Tribes students are supported, apart from hospitals, mobile dispensaries etc.).

2. Vocational Training in Tribal Areas. The Schemes of Vocational Training in tribal Areas a self-employment or employment oriented scheme aimed at benefiting ST boys and girls equally.

3. Scheme of Strengthening Education among Schedules Tribes (ST) Girls in Low Literacy Pockets.

4. Development of Primitive Tribal Groups

5. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for STs.

6. Top Class Education for ST students.

7. Scheme of National Overseas Scholarships for STs.

Centrally Sponsored Schemes

8. Schemes of Post Matric Scholarship for ST students.

9. Upgradation of Merit of ST Students.

10. Scheme of construction of hostel for ST Girls and Boys.

11. Scheme of Establishment of Ashram Schools in Tribal Sub Plan Areas

Special Area Programme

12. Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Plan for employment-cum-income generation activities.

13. Grant-in-Aid under Article 275(1) of the Constitution for promotion of Welfare of Scheduled Tribes and upgradation of the levels of administration of Scheudled Areas. A part of grant under Article 275(1) of the Constitution is used for setting up of “Ekalavya Model Residential Schools” for providing quality education of ST students (both grils and boys) from Class VI to XII.

This Ministry is also implementing the Schduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 which seeks to recognize and vest forest rights over forest land in forest dwelling STs and other traditional forest dwellers.

Development of Primitive Tribal Groups

2012-01-20T04:35:00.000-08:00

There are certain tribal communities who are having low level of literacy, declining or stagnant population, and pre-agricultural level of technology and economically backward. 75 such groups in 15 States/UTs have been identified and have been categorized as Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs). State/UT-wise list of PTGs is at Annexure I. each of these groups is small in number, differentially developed with respect to one another, of remote habitat with poor administrative and infrastructure back up. Therefore, they are in need of priority to be accorded for their protection and development.

Their problems and needs are quite different from other Scheduled Tribes. Since Primitive Tribal Groups constitute the most vulnerable among tribal groups, States/UTs have been requested to allocate requisite funds from Central Sector/Centrally Sponsored and State Plan schemes for their socio-economic development. However, there are items/activities, which though very crucial for the survival, protection and development of PTGs, are not specifically catered to by any existing scheme, the funds under this scheme would be used for these activities.

Scope

The funds under the Central Sector Scheme for the development of Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) would be available only for those items/activities which though very crucial for the survival, protection and development of Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs), are not specifically catered to by any existing schemes, State or Central or by Guidelines governing the utilization of funds under Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Plan and Article 275(1) of the Constitution. Such items/activities cannot be exhaustively identified at the Central level as they may differ from State to State and within a State from project to project. However, funds under the scheme could be used for helping the beneficiaries of the project to cope with extremely adverse pressures which threaten their survival and protect them against various forms of exploitation and thereby bringing them to a stage when they can demand and receive specific assets and services. The activities under the scheme may include measures such as awareness generation and confidence building, training for skill development of tribal youth organizations of self help groups and provision of services/inputs not covered by any existing scheme. In terms of beneficiaries the scheme will cover only members of PTGs.

Implementing Agency

The scheme will be implemented through Integrated Tribal development Projects (ITDPs)/Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs), Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) and Non Governmental Organizations having capability and willingness. The State Government concerned will be responsible for proper execution, implementation, supervision and coordination of the scheme including selectin of NGOs. The ITDPs/ITDAs and TRIs should send their proposal in the prescribed Performa at Annexure II. The NGOs should submit their proposal in Performa II with recommendation of the State Govt./UT Admn as per Annexure IV and Annexure V.’

Pattern of Funding

It is Central Sector scheme, therefore, financial assistance will be available on 100% basis. The optimum period for grant-in-aid to the implementing agencies will be for a period of 3 years.

Review of Performance

The selection committee will review the performance of the projects/activities as under taken under this scheme by the implementing agencies. The proposals received from ITDPS/ITDAs, TRIs and NGOs will be approved by a Committee consisting officials of M/o. Tribal Affairs, Planning Commission and National Commission for SCs/STs The Committee will be Joint Secretary, M/o. Tribal Affairs. Chairman may co-opt any other officer(s) as member(s) as and when required.

Terms & Conditions

1) The financial assistance as provided under the scheme should be utilized for the purpose it has been sanctioned and for the welfare of members of Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) only.

2) The financial assistance given to ITDPs/ITDAs and TRIs would be deemed to be given to the State Governments concented and rules and regulation governing the grant in aid to States/UTs will apply to them.

3) The implementing agency shall allow the representative of this Ministry or the State Government to impact actual working of the scheme.

4) The grantee organization shall not utilize the grant for any partisan, political or anti-government propaganda. If the government is satisfied that the grantee organization has acted in contravention of this para, Future grants will be with held, the organization blacklisted and already sanctioned grant will be recovered with interest.

5) After the close of each financial year the organization shall submit immediately the utilization certificate and audited figures of expenditure duly certified by a registered Chartered Accountant comprising:

a) Income and expenditure account/balance sheet for the year including receipt and payment account of the organizations in respect of grants paid to it by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs during the year and Utilization Certificate.

b) The certificate to the effect that the Institute has not received grant for the same purpose from any other Ministry/Department of the Government.

C) The Private Institutes (NGOs) shall furnish a certificate to the effect that it accepts the grant sanctioned to it subject to the terms and conditions to be prescribed by the Ministry and also furnish a bond with two sureties in the name of the competent authority signed by an office bearer duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Institute for the actual implementation of the scheme and also furnish accounts of the grant sanctioned by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

REVIVAL OF TOURISM IN ANDAMANS

2012-01-15T21:42:00.000-08:00

The Government of India and the UT Administration are leaving no stone unturned to revive tourism in these strategically located ecologically fragile islands. An eye-catching advertisement inserted by the Ministry of Tourism in many national newspapers and magazines depicting the magnificent sea with palm-fringed serene beach captioned “Vitamin Sea” speaks a thousand words to persuade a prospective tourist to visit the Andamans for a quiet holiday amidst the bounties of the nature.

While nature has showered its blessings upon the picturesque lush green islands, the same very nature had played havoc on that fateful day of December 26. But, interestingly, the awe-inspiring scars left behind by the tsunami waves have become objects of tourists’ attraction, too. So much so, the sub-continent’s lone live volcano at Barren Island, 75 nautical miles north-east of Port Blair that came alive after remaining dormant for more than a decade, has also become a major tourist attraction. A ship sails every Friday evening from Port Blair enabling tourists for a night view of the Barren volcano spewing red hot lava, flames and smoke. A life time opportunity for the tourists, of course.

Besides nature, these islands have the marvels of history too. Many monuments stand mute witness to the heroic freedom struggle in the face of atrocities perpetrated on the freedom fighters by the British and the Japanese under their respective yokes here. It is here that Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose first hoisted the tri-colour to proclaim Independence on December 30, 1943.

Places of interest in and around Port Blair:

Cellular Jail

National Memorial Cellular Jail located at Port Blair, stands a mute witness to the tortures meted out to the freedom fighters who were incarcerated in this jail. The jail, completed in the year 1906, acquired the name Cellular because it is entirely made up of individual cells for the solitary confinement. It was originally a seven-pronged building with central tower acting as the fulcrum. Presently only three out of the seven prongs are intact. The saga of heroic freedom struggle is brought alive in a moving Son-et-lumiere, shown inside the jail compound at 6. p.m. (Hindi) and 7.15 p.m. (English). Also there is a museum and a photo gallery, which are open on all days except on Monday from 9 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm.

Viper Island

Just a 10-minute boat ride from Port Blair, this tiny island witnessed the untold sufferings the freedom fighters had to undergo. Dangerous convicts found guilty of violating the rules of the Penal Settlement, were put in fetters and forced to work in this island. The island derives its name from the vessel “Viper” in which Lt. Archibald Blair came to the islands in 1768 to establish a Penal Settlement. Gallows built atop a hillock signified death.

Ross Island

The erstwhile capital of Port Blair during the British regime is a tiny island standing guard to Port Blair Harbour. The island presently houses the ruins of old buildings reminiscent of the old British regime. The seat of power of the British, the island was developed into a self-equipped township with all facilities required for a civilized colony.

A 15 minute boat ride from Port Blair, the island is open for tourists three times during the day.

Mount Harriet

The summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner during British Raj, this place 55 kms by road/15 kms by ferry and road from Port Blair is ideal for a nice and fascinating overview of the outer islands and the sea. It is the highest peak in the South Andamans (365 mtrs). One can trek upto Madhuban through nature trail and can find rare endemic birds, animals and butterflies.

Chidya Tapu

Chidya Tapu, 25 kms from Port Blair, is the southernmost tip of South Andaman. The lush green mangrove cover and beaches make it an ideal picnic site. The place provides a beautiful view of the sunset.

Beaches

The world class sandy beaches of these islands are famous for turtle nesting. Important species of turtles include Leatherback Turtle, Green Sea Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle and Olive Ridley Turtle. Water Monitor Lizard, Salt water Crocodiles, Reticulate Python etc. are also seen here. Some of the important beaches are:

Carbyn’s Cove Beach: About 6 kms from Port Blair, this beach is one of the most picturesque sea beaches. Ideal for sea-bathing and sun-basking, it provides a kaleidoscopic view of the blue water front.

Radhanagar Beach: Rated as one of the best in the world, this beach is a major tourist attraction for its silvery sands, waves formation and unpolluted environment. Located at Havelock Island, it is a two hour voyage from Port Blair.

Harminder Bay Beach: This beautiful beach is situated at Hut Bay Island at a distance of 100 kms from Port Blair and is connected by inter island shipping services.

Karmatang Beach: This famous turtle nesting ground is situated at Mayabunder, North Andaman, 240 kms by road and 136 kms by boat from Port Blair.

Other Places of Interest

There are many places of interest in this last frontier of the Indian Union. To mention a few:

Neil Island, 36 kms from Port Blair; Long Island, 82 kms from Port Blair; Rangat, 170 kms, by road and 90 kms by sea; Mayabunder, 242 kms. By road/136 kms, by sea; Diglipur, 290 kms by road/180 kms by sea and Little Andaman Island, 120 kms by sea.

Anthropological Museum at Port Blair provides an insight into the world of stone age tribes – Great Andamanese, Jarawas, Sentinels, Onges, Shompens and the Nicobarese – Marine Museums bring alive the underwater world of many marine species. Then there are zoo, crocodile farm, and parks with a difference.

How To Reach Andamans

By Air

Port Blair is connected with Chennai and Kolkata by air. Presently flights are operated by Alliance Air and Jet Airways. While Alliance Air operates on Chennai-Port Blair-Chennai and Kolkata-Port Blair-Kolkata sectors, the Jet Airways operates only on Chennai-Port Blair-Chennai Sector.

By Sea

Regular passenger ship services are available to Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata and Vishakapatnam and back. There are three to four sailings every month from Kolkata and Chennai to Port Blair and vice-versa. There is one sailing from Vishakapatnam in a month. The voyage takes about 50 to 70 hours.

Cellular Jail.

Rose Island.

Church at Ross Island.

Mount Harriet.

Aerial view of Aberdeen Bazar area, Port Blair.

Water fall at Hutbay, Little Andaman.

Dolphin Yatri Niwas at Havelock Island.

Study on Primitive Tribals in Andaman And Nicobar

2012-01-15T21:31:00.000-08:00

Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad studied origin of the 6 tribal populations of the Andaman and Nicobar Island, of which 4 were Negroid (Onge, Jarawa, Great Andamanese and Sentinelese) and 2 were Mongolid (Nicobarse and Shompens) populations. CCMB Scientists collected blood samples from 47 Onge, 20 Great Andamanese and 25 Nicobarese; and the buccal swab from 4 Jarawa tribals and initially analyzed the samples with the paternally inherited Y chromosome markers to trace the paternal lineage.

Studies demonstrated that the Onge and Jarawa fell in a genetic group closely related to the African specific origin. However, none of the Great Andamanese, although phenotypically similar to Onge and Jarawa, showed close affinities with the modern human populations, suggesting that original chromosomes of the Great Andamanese have been replaced by the recently evolved Y chromosome. In the same study CCMB scientists analyzed very small region of the maternally inherited DNA (from mitochnodrial DNA) and found that they showed close affinities with the Asian populations.

On completed squencing of the mitochondrial DNA of 5 Onge, 5 Great Andamanese and 5 Nicobarese, several novel mutations (changes in DNA sequence) were found in Onge and Great Andamanese tribes, which have not been identified either in any of the world populations or in the 600 Indian samples screened by them. Based on the mutations in mitochondrial DNA of these populations, CCMB scientists estimated that they are the descendants of the group of people, who first migrated out of Africa about 50,000-70,000 years ago, taking the southern route of migration by sea route via India to populate Southeast Asia and Australia, in contrast to the Nicobarese who have migrated from Southeast Asia, about 18,000 years ago, as these samples showed affinity with populations found in China, Myanmar and other Southeast Asia.

EXTINCTION OF PRIMITIVE TRIBES

2012-01-15T21:28:00.000-08:00

There are 5 tribes in Andaman & Nicobar Islands namely Great Andamanese, Onge, Sentinelese, Shom Pen, Jarawa whose populations are less than 500. They may be considered to be facing the threat of extinction.
Name of PTG Population (2001 Census)
Sentinelese: 39
Great Andamanese 43
Onge 96
Jarawa 240
Shom Pen 398
There is, however, no declining trend in the population of any tribe in the State of Orissa. There are thirteen PTGs in Orissa .
A Central Sector Scheme for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PTGs) covers 75 identified PTGs among Scheduled Tribes. The scheme is extremely flexible because it enables every State to focus on areas that they consider is relevant to their PTGs and their Socio-cultural environment including identities and culture. Funds are being made available to States as per the provisions of the scheme.

State/UTs.	Name of P.T.G.	2001 Census
1	2	3
Orissa	Chuktia Bhunjia	NA
	Bondo	9378
	Didayi	7371
	Dongria Kondh	NA
	Juang	41339
	Kharia	NA
	Kutia Kondh	NA
	Lanjia Saora	NA
	Lodha	8905
	Mankirdia	1050
	Birhor	702
	Paudi Bhuiyan	NA
	Saura	NA

NA= Not Available in 2001 Census Data.

Andamans – A Sea of Change in 30 Years

2012-01-15T21:24:00.000-08:00

It was a revisit to India’s emerald islands in the east embellishing the Bay of Bengal. Reflections of life and times in Port Blair three decades ago flashed through the mind as Indian Airlines carrier touched down Veer Savarkar airport.

The images of the past and the realities of the present were quite striking. The transformation that the Andaman Islands have gone through was palpable during a recent week-long crisscross of the islands. From buildings to bridges, from roads to bye lanes, beaches to skyline, the canvas of this coral island portrayed a sea change.

Transport

For an island territory lying away from the mainland and spread North-South across the deep sea over a length of 800 kilometers, transport is the lifeline. Whereas initially there was only a once-a-week flight from Kolkatta, and later from Chennai, now there are daily flights from these two cities, even by private airlines. Additional services are also operated as and when necessary. Similarly, for inter-island transport, helicopter service has been introduced linking Diglipur, the farthest town of North Andamans to Campbell Bay located in the southernmost part, in Nicobar Group of Islands. Talking of sea cruise, both the mainland to island service and inter-island services have improved a lot. As far as surface transport is concerned, privatization has eased the problem to a great extent. The ubiquitous auto rickshaw has also reached the islands. Construction of Great Andaman Trunk-road (now National Highway 223) has certainly paved the way for improved infrastructure. However, the road building, which started in 1970s, had turned controversial as it cuts through the ‘reserved’ forest areas of the Jarawa tribe, a Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) group. The current plans to widen the road have further aggravated its impact on the habitat of the Jarawas.

Communication

The advent of cell phone has turned out to be a great boon to the nearly four lakh population in the islands. Not only one could converse with people in the mainland at the press of a button, but could also speak with the same ease and clarity to an acquaintance in the southernmost island of Great Nicobar, where the inter-island ferry takes two days to reach. Postal facilities have also markedly improved, the efficient speed post service scored where a private courier service failed to reach the remote Baratang.

Tourism

With silver sands, lagoons and enchanting seamless greenery, Andamans had always been a destination worth visiting. Tourism is the bread butter of the people of these exquisite islands. Unlike the vignettes of Port Blair more than a quarter century ago, one can today find many eateries and lodges that suit one’s taste buds as well as budget.

Over the years, new places have been thrown open to the tourists, like the Ross Island where the settlement’s headquarters was first established, the Viper Island where penal settlement was first established, and Chatham Island where Asia’s first and biggest saw mill was established and is still functioning. New museums like the Samudrika marine museum, forest museum and aquarium boast of rare collection of flora and fauna of Andamans. The Anthropological Museum is worth a visit, what with Old Stone Age Jarawa and Sentinel tribes still surviving in the islands against all odds.

Snorkeling and cruising in glass-bottomed boats and scuba diving for the trained and experienced are the new attractions. Watching lakhs of jelly fish gently float by in the waters of Mahatma Gandhi National Marine Park was like watching Discovery Channel live. Near Baratang, the Parrot Island, mud volcano, limestone cave and mangrove canopy walk are the added attractions for tourists who love to be with Nature.

At the same time, responsible tourism that protects and conserves nature is also strictly followed. Tourists are not allowed to pick and bring back prohibited sea shells and corals.

National Memorial

A lot of renovation and beautification works have been done in and around the cellular Jail, now a National Memorial in honour of our freedom fighters who languished under colonial oppression since 1857. A museum has been created depicting the history of penal settlement and the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters so that we could be free. Watching the sound and light show in the premises of the Cellular Jail that chronicles the courage and sacrifice of our freedom fighters was a time worth spent.

Social life

Cut off from the hustles and bustles of mainland, the social life on the island, lacks luster. However, it is made up by satellite and Cable TV and DVDs, that throw open the whole world at the flick of the remote. Take a stroll through the National Highway 223 - the memories etched thirty years ago get overlapped by the transformation over the years. The look of the bazaars has changed. From what used to be a lazy marketplace that got to life only when ships from the mainland arrived, is now bustling with regular shops that include gold jewellery marts and mini supermarkets stocking almost everything and anything. Local handicrafts sector has improved vastly. LPG cooking gas has reached the islands and so has milk, where milk powder was the only source for milk then, Local production of fruits and vegetables has seen a marked improvement yet, much of the demand is still being met from the mainland and hence a bit costlier.

Power & Water

Despite a manifold increase in power consumption, diesel generators are still the only source of power supply. Other sources of energy like gobar/bio gas, solar, wave, and wind can be tried in a big way. Similarly, there seemed to be a perennial shortage of water despite rains for more than six months a year. Saline water treatment plant could be established and water harvesting, even in small quantities, should be encouraged.

Though life in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands has improved a lot in general, development is always at the cost of Nature. We have to tread very carefully, at least as far as the tribes are concerned. (PIB Features)

Expert Committee on Primitive Tribal Groups Had Suggested Separate Policies for each Tribal group in Andaman and Nicobar

2012-01-15T21:20:00.000-08:00

THE COMMITTEE HAD RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE BAN ON POPULATION INFLUX AND CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN THE INTERIORS OF THE ISLAND

The Committee of Experts set up by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to look into the polices and action for the Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) of Andaman and Nicobar Islands had stressed the need of separate policies for each of PTGs namely Shompen, Great Andamanese, Onges and Sentinelese at the earliest. It had expressed concern over alarming increase in the population of the Islands and recommended immediate steps to restrict the population influx into the islands. The Expert committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs was of the view that the vehicular traffic on the Andaman Trunk road passing through Jarawa Reserve should be substituted with the sea going vehicles and construction work on the road which runs through middle of Great Nicobar should be stop immediately.

The details of the conclusions arrived at the expert committee meeting are as follows: - Within the distinctly different nature of the five PTGs of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it is important to have separate policies for each of the PTGs. A policy already exists for the Jarawa tribe, but there is no policy for the remaining four PTGs namely Shompen, Great Andamanese, Onges and Sentinelese. A policy for each of these PTGs needs to be put in place at the earliest.

- To enable these policies to be framed fixed studies of approximately three months duration need to be taken up. Though a policy exists for Jarawa tribe, it is not being implemented properly or monitored adequately. The Expert Committee will look closely into the implementation of Jarawa policy.

- While separate policies may be made for each of the PTGs, certain efforts which affect all the PTGs on the islands as a whole are necessary to be taken if these tribes and the environment ecology of the islands are to survive. An alarming increase in the population of the islands needs to be addressed forthwith. While a carrying capacity study has been commissioned to arrive at the optimum level of population the islands can sustain, it is not advisable to delay taking action until the results of the study are available. Acute shortage of drinking water, large scale construction resulting in the destruction of the environment is already apparent. Therefore, immediate steps need to be taken to restrict the population influx into the islands.

- There is a lack of sensitivity amongst the general population in the islands be in officials, settlers, school children or others regarding the situation of the PTGs. They are being seen as a curiosity item and that due to the adverse impact of the various activities on these heritage groups, they are on the brink of extinction, is little appreciated. - In the case of two PTGs namely Great Andamanese and Onges who are in full contact with the general population, the education that is being imparted needs to be carefully looked at and quickly reviewed. Though some efforts have been made to prepare material in their mother tongue namely Great Andamanese and Onge for teaching their children, no worthwhile efforts have been made to implement teaching in mother tongue. The quality of teaching material in Great Andamanese and Onge also needs a lot to be desired from the pedagogical point of view. It is also necessary to immediately look at this material and introduce it in a proper form in the schools and provide teachers knowing their language. - A portion of Andaman Trunk Road (ATR) passes through Jarawa reserve. The Supreme Court has ordered that vehicular traffic on this stretch of road be stopped. However, a stay has been obtained and the vehicles continue to ply and in fact their number has increased in the recent years. If the Jarawas are to be protected, from unwarranted and undesirable interaction with other people, it is important to impose significant restrictions on the volume of traffic on the ATR and to have a plan to discontinue all the traffic within the Jarawa reserve within a certain time frame. It is possible to substitute the vehicular traffic on the portion of ATR passing through Jarawa reserve with sea going vehicles.

- Similarly, the portion of the road which runs through middle of Great Nicobar has caused great destruction to the Shompen ways of life since it runs through middle of their reserve. The work on this road which is being repaired by the Border Roads Organisation needs to be stopped. - The way of life of Onges who live in Little Andaman islands has been badly affected by increase in population of other people who have settled on the islands. Activity of these people namely, illegal poaching, felling of trees, etc. have affected the ability of the Onges to sustain themselves as hunter gatherer tribe. The Onges who are about 100 in number need at least 200 sq. kms of undisturbed forests to be able to sustain themselves. Efforts need to be made to make land on the islands of Little Andaman available to the Onges.

Integrated Action Plan to Develop Tribal and backward Districts in LWE Areas

2012-01-15T21:13:00.000-08:00

At the time of presentation of the budget for the year 2010-11, the Government had announced its decision to introduce a special scheme to address the development of 33 Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts. It was inter-alia, stated that the Planning Commission would prepare an Integrated Action Plan (IAP) for the affected areas and that adequate funds would be made available to support the action plan. The 33 districts (later expanded to 34) referred to in the Finance Minister’s announcement were a sub-set of the 83 LWE affected districts identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs for coverage under its Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme. This sub-set consisted of those districts where more than 20% of the Police Stations experienced some incidents of naxal violence. Subsequently, West Medinipur district of West Bengal was added to the list due to the situation prevailing there, taking the total to 35 districts.

Implementation of IAP

IAP was formulated as an additional central assistance scheme on 100% grant basis in November 2010. To begin with, the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) for 60 tribal and backward districts was to be implemented with a block grant of Rs.25 crore and Rs.30 crore per district during 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively for which the funds were to be placed at the disposal of the Committee headed by the District Collector and consisting of the Superintendent of Police of the district and the District Forest Officer.

The district level committee will have flexibility to spend the amount for development schemes according to need, as assessed by it. The Committee would draw up a Plan consisting of concrete proposals for public infrastructure and services such as School Buildings, Anganwadi Centres, Primary Health Centres, Drinking Water Supply, Village Roads, Electric Lights in public places such as PHCs and Schools etc. The concerned Development Commissioner/ equivalent officer in charge of development in the State shall be responsible for scrutiny of expenditure and monitoring of IAP.

The Planning Commission will undertake macro level monitoring of the scheme and implementation of the scheme will be reviewed and suitable decisions taken on the modalities for implementation of the scheme as a part of the 12th Five Year Plan.

Salient features of the scheme

The salient features of the guidelines are:

(i) The district level committee should draw up a plan consisting of concrete proposals for public infrastructure and services such as school buildings, Anganwadi centres, Drinking Water supply, Village Roads, electric lights in public places such as PHCs and schools etc. The schemes so selected should show results in the short term.

(ii) A suitable form of consultation is to be ensured with the local Members of Parliament on the schemes to be taken up the under the IAP.

(iii) The expenditure on the projects should be over and above the expenditure being incurred for the regular State/Central/Centrally Sponsored Schemes. The district level committee should ensure that there is no duplication of expenditure on the same project.

(iv) The State Government will release the funds directly into the bank account opened for this purpose by the District Collector or District Magistrate. The State Government will ensure that funds are transferred to this bank account within 15 days of the release of the funds to the Consolidated Fund of the State Government failing which the State Government should transfer to the district penal interest at RBI rate.

Achievements Under IAP

The implementation of the scheme commenced in the year 2010-11 and Rs.25 crore per district i.e. total Rs.1500 crore for the year 2010-11 was released in December, 2010. The districts immediately finalized the works to be taken up, completed the tender processes wherever required and the works on the ground commenced immediately in all the 60 districts. Currently, the implementation of IAP in the districts is in full swing. The total funds released so far for the year 2011-12 is Rs.1090 crore and the total funds released so far since the commencement of the Scheme is Rs.2590 crore. Against the total amount of Rs.2590 crores released so far to the 9 States, the expenditure as on 27.12.2011 is Rs.1468.83 crore i.e. 56.71% of the funds released.

Under the IAP, so far 62327 projects for an amount of Rs. 3230.02 crore have been taken up in the 9 States. These include construction of School Buildings/School Furniture, Anganwadi Centres, Drinking Water facilities, Rural roads, Panchyat Bhawan/Community Halls, Godowns/PDS shops, livelihood activities, skill development/trainings, minor irrigation works, electric lighting, health centres/facilities, Ashram Schools, construction of toilets, construction of multi-purpose chabutra, construction of passenger waiting hall, special coaching classes for students, construction of ANM centres, development of play grounds etc. 44.42% of projects taken up so far have been completed i.e., 27687 projects have been completed so far. State-wise details of physical progress as on 27.12.2011 vis-à-vis projects sanctioned are: Andhra Pradesh- 702 (1140), Bihar - 2367 (12889), Chhattisgarh - 6115 (14718), Jharkhand- 5621 (11769), Madhya Pradesh - 1446 (5352), Maharashtra - 2667 (4398), Orissa - 6829 (15087), Uttar Pradesh - 1337 (1548) and West Bengal - 603 (1272).

Parameters to Qualify under IAP

While formulating the scheme, the Planning Commission considered that the scheme should not be limited only to the severely LWE affected districts. It was proposed by them that the scheme should cover other tribal and backward districts also and the following criteria was adopted to identify districts for inclusion in the scheme:

(a) Whether the district is included in the list of 83 SRE districts identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs;

(b) Whether the tribal population exceeds 25%;

(c) Whether the forest area exceeds 30%;

(d) Whether the poverty ratio in the district exceeds 50%; and

(e) Whether the district is covered under the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF).

Districts meeting four of the above-mentioned five criteria and forming a contiguous block were selected for coverage under the proposed scheme. Thus, with this criteria, a total of 60 districts were selected for coverage under the scheme.

Districts Covered

The 60 districts comprised 48 districts covered under the SRE scheme and 12 other districts not falling under the SRE scheme. The 60 districts thus selected are : Adiliabad and Khammam (2 districts) in Andhra Pradesh; Arwal, Aurangabad, Gaya, Jamui, Jehanabad, Nawada and Rohtas (7 districts), in Bihar; Bastar, Bijapur, Dantewada, Jashpur, Kanker, Kawardha, Koriya, Narayanpur, Rajnandgaon and Surguja (10 districts) of Chhattisgarh; Bokaro, Chatra, Garwha, Gumla, Hazaribagh, Kodarma, Latehar, Lohardaga, Paschim Singhbhum, Palamu, Purbi Singhbhum, Ramgarh, Saraikela and Simdega (14 districts) of Jharkhand; Anuppur, Balagahat, Dindori, Mandla, Seoni, Shahdol, Sidhi and Umaria (8 districts) in Madhya Pradesh; Gadchiroli and Gondiya (2 districts); Balangir, Debagarh/Deogarh, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal/Phulbani, Kendujhar/Keonjhar, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Nabrangpur, Nuapada, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Sonapur and Sundargarh (15 districts) of Orissa; Sonbhadra (1 district), Uttar Pradesh; Paschim Medinipur (1 district) in West Bengal.

Monitoring

The Development Commissioner of the State/equivalent officer incharge of development in the State is responsible for scrutiny of expenditure and monitoring of the IAP in the State. In order to facilitate the monitoring, the States are required to send district-wise monthly progress reports in the prescribed format and also upload the information on the Management Information System(MIS) along with photographs of the works.

Regular monitoring of the IAP is being carried out by the Member-Secretary, Planning Commission through video conferences with the District Collectors/District Magistrates and Development Commissioner of the States concerned. So far 14 such video conferences/meetings have been held including the Video Conference meetings held by the Union Home Minister, Union Minister of Rural Development and MoS (Independent charge) for Environment and Forests. In addition, the Review Group headed by the Cabinet Secretary also reviewed the progress of implementation of IAP with the Chief Secretaries of 9 States through video conference meeting.

Provisions for change in IAP

The Ministry of Home Affairs has also constituted an Empowered Group of Officers with Member-Secretary, Planning Commission as its Chairperson. The Empowered Group, inter-alia, has overriding powers to modify existing norms/guidelines on implementation of various development programmes and flagship schemes in consultation with the Ministries/Departments concerned.

States’ Response to IAP

The implementation of IAP has been successful and the scheme has had a very good response. A number of requests had been received from the Chief Ministers, Members of Parliament and State Governments for inclusion of more districts under the IAP. On the basis of requests received from the State Govts., the Govt. of India has decided on 07.12.2011 to include additional 18 LWE affected districts under IAP from the financial year 2011-12 onwards and to provide block grant of Rs.30 crore to each of these districts during the current financial year.

Conclusion: The Government’s approach is to deal with Left Wing Extremism activities in a holistic manner, in the areas of security, development, rights of local communities, administration and public perception. In dealing with this decades old problem, it has been felt appropriate, after various high-level deliberations and interactions with the State Governments concerned that an integrated approach aimed at the relatively more affected areas would deliver results. With this in view, a detailed analysis of the spread and trends in respect of LWE violence has been made and 83 affected districts in nine States have been taken up for special attention on planning, implementation and monitoring of security situation and development schemes.

MoHFW- 2011: Year of Initiatives

2012-01-15T21:04:00.000-08:00

From earning international accolades for commendable efforts at containing Polio, reduction in HIV cases, beginning mass screening for detecting Non Communicable Diseases like Diabetes to initiating new schemes for well being of mother and new born care, to making efforts for availability of generic drugs at affordable prices, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the year 2011 took significant new steps. The multifarious efforts included transiting from prevention of food adulteration to more holistic food safety and regulation standards; increased focus on health research and development in the 100th year of ICMR to legislative efforts for establishing National Commission for Human Resources for Health. The year also threw up challenges of public health concerns – rising instances of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome, tackling newer infections like Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever and concerns over falling child sex ratio – the Ministry took initiatives for multi pronged strategy. Recognising there is no room for complacency and much needs to be achieved yet, the Ministry is all poised to scale up plans for the XIIth Plan ahead.

IMPROVED HEALTH INDICATORS:

As per latest data available:

· Infant Mortality Rate has come down to 50 in 2009 from 58 per 1000 live births

in the year 2005;

· Maternal Mortality Ratio has also come down to 212 per 100,000 live births

during 2007-09 from 254 per 100,000 live births in 2004-06;

· Total Fertility Rate has come down to 2.6 in 2009 from 2.9 in 2005;

· Under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) 61% of children aged

12-24 months in India are fully immunized against 6 vaccine preventable

diseases;

· Longest polio-free period ever since eradication efforts were launched - Number of reported Polio cases have reduced from 676 (2006) to 42 (2010) and only one (1) case during 2011 till date.

· The institutional deliveries in the country have increased from 47% (in DLHS-III -2007-08) to 72.9%, as per the Coverage Evaluation Survey (CES 2009).

· 70% case detection rate and 85% Cure rate have been achieved under Revised National Tuberculosis Programme; TB mortality in the country has reduced by 43%, from an estimated 42 per lakh population in 1990 to 24 per lakh population in 2009, and the prevalence of TB in the country has reduced by 67%, from 568 per lakh population in 1990 to 185 per lakh population.

· Adult HIV prevalence at national level has declined from 0.41% in 2000 to 0.31% in 2009. The estimated number of new annual HIV infections has declined by more than 50% over the past decade from 2.7 lakh new infections in 2000 to 1.2 lakh in 2009. The Free Anti-Retroviral Treatment programme was scaled up to 324 centres, and 4,48,860 patients are receiving free ART as of September 2011.

NEW INITIATIVES

· Closest ever to eradicating polio, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India decided to treat any fresh case of polio as a “public health emergency” in order to achieve polio eradication from India at the earliest. An Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan has been drawn up to intensify measures to build the immunity of children in all high risk areas and also to conduct intensive immunization campaigns rapidly in response to any polio cases if they occurred.

· New vaccines have been introduced - Hepatitis B vaccine and second dose of measles vaccine are now part of the Universal Immunization Programme. In 2011-12, Hepatitis B vaccine has been expanded in the entire country. Pentavalent, a combination vaccine against five diseases (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae B) has been introduced on pilot basis in 2 States – Tamil Nadu and Kerala covering 15 lakh children. This ensures complete immunization against 5 diseases and also reduces the chances of an Adverse Event Following Immunization due to less injection load.

· New schemes for well being of mother and new born care - Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK), launched on 1st June, 2011, entitles all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions to absolutely free and no expense delivery including Caesarean section. The initiative stipulates free drugs, diagnostics, blood and diet, besides free transport from home to institution, between facilities in case of a referral and drop back home. Similar entitlements have been put in place for all sick newborns accessing public health institutions for treatment till 30 days after birth. 32 of the 35 States and Union Territories have implemented the scheme. In the current financial year i.e. 2011-12, based on the request received from the States, funds to the tune of Rs 1437 crores have been approved for the States to implement the scheme.

· Mother & Child Tracking System (MCTS), an e-governance initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has registered 1,27,41,402 women as on 11.12.2011. The Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS) is designed to collate information of all pregnant women and infants so as to ensure delivery of maternal and child health services from conception till 42 days after delivery in the case of pregnant women and up to five years of age in the case of children so as to ensure that all pregnant women and all new born receive full maternal and immunization services. The number of children registered in the system is 69,55,165, as on 11.12.2011.

· A Joint Mother and Child Health Card of MoHFW and MoWCD has been launched as a tool for documenting and monitoring services for antenatal, intranatal and postnatal care to pregnant women, immunization and growth monitoring of infants.

· From a modest figure of 7.39 lakhs pregnant women as beneficiaries in 2005-06, Janani Suraksha Yojana, achieved phenomenal success by providing cash assistance to nearly 113 lakhs pregnant women in 2010-11. Similarly, the financial expenditure under the scheme has increased manifold from Rs 38 crores in 2005-06 to Rs 1,618 crores in 2010-11.

· A new scheme incentivizing ASHAs for providing Home Based Newborn Care up to 42 days of life was launched. Home Based Newborn Care Operational Guidelines - 2011 were shared with the states. Special New Born Care Units (SNCUs) at First Referral Units/Distt HQs and Newborn Stabilisation Units (NBSUs) have been established to provide care to sick newborns. By end of October 2011, 293 SNCUs and 1134 NBSUs were made functional in the country.

· For management of children with Severe Acute Malnutrition, 480 Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres have been operationalized in the country till October 2011. Operational Guide Facility Based Management of Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition-2011 has been shared with the States in 2011.

· As part of the improvement of the menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls, particularly in tribal and rural areas, a new scheme for supply of sanitary napkins at subsidized rates has been introduced. In the first phase, nearly 1.4 million girls in the age group of 10-19 in 152 districts of 20 States are being covered.

· The Ministry launched schemes for home delivery of contraceptives by ASHAs at doorsteps of beneficiaries to improve access to contraceptive by the eligible couples on the occasion of World Population Day 2011. This initiative is being implemented on a pilot basis in 233 districts of 17 States.

· The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare asked the state authorities to ensure strict implementation of PC&PNDT Act. Ministry convened meetings of Ministers of Health, Health Secretaries and other senior officers from the 18 States where declining child sex ratio has been a matter of concern as apparent from the recent census figures. A multi-pronged strategy to check female foeticide, which includes legislative measures, awareness generation as well as programmes for socio-economic empowerment of women has been pursued - Central Supervisory Board (CSB) under the Act has been reconstituted; Act has been amended to provide for confiscation of unregistered machines and further punishment up to 3 years of imprisonment and fine up to Rs 50,000/; the National Inspection and Monitoring Committees (NIMC) intensified random field inspections of ultrasound clinics; MCI has been asked to develop accreditation guidelines for qualification and eligibility criteria for the doctors who can conduct ultrasound scans on pregnant women under the PC&PNDT Act; Medical Council of India has been directed to cancel registration of doctors convicted under PC&PNDT Act to curb malpractices

· For containment of epidemics and rapid response to disease outbreaks the Government decided to provide the services of epidemiologists in all district headquarters and state headquarters and entomologists and microbiologists in all state headquarters; of them so far 279 epidemiologists, 55 microbiologists and 22 entomologists have joined. The ongoing initiative of upgrading the National Institute of Communicable Diseases into National Centre of Disease Control with responsibility for enhanced capabilities for lab-based surveillance of communicable diseases and rapid response for minimizing the effects of disease outbreaks is a major development in this field.

· Under Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, surveillance units have been established for effective disease surveillance and response system, at all state and district headquarters. Training of state/district surveillance teams has been completed in all states. Presently, more than 90% districts in the country report weekly surveillance data for epidemic prone diseases through e-mail/portal.

· A multi-pronged strategy to include safe water, sanitation, nutrition, community education, medical attention and rehabilitation, has been suggested to address the problem of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome / Japanese Encephalitis being reported from 135 districts of 17 States. A Group of Ministers (GoM) has been constituted to deliberate on these issues. A National Programme on prevention and control of AES/JE is being formulated with special emphasis on (i) public health measures (ii) expansion of JE vaccination in 62 new districts (iii) establishment of ICUs in 60 priority distts. GOI initiated JE vaccination programme for children between 1 and 15 yrs of age as an integral component of UIP. GOI has sanctioned additional amount of Rs 5.88 crores for upgradation of JE epidemic ward at BRD Medical College Gorakhpur.

· The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the proposal of MoHFW for Intensified Malaria Control Project-II (IMCP-II) for seven North Eastern States (except Sikkim) under National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme with support from Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria at an estimated cost of more than Rs. 400 crore.

· New DOTS logo was launched - “DOTS: Pura Course, Pakka Ilaaj” - signifies a response to the emerging challenges regarding tuberculosis and its manifestations in the form of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) and co-infection with HIV. MDR-TB services have been extended to 14 more states thus now covering 24 states. TB-HIV intensified package activities have been extended to 11 more states and now implemented in 22 states.

· 1st ever screening camp - Urban Slum Health Check Up Scheme for Diabetes and Blood pressure - organised in New Delhi in July 2011 under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardio Vascular Diseases and Stroke. Non Communicable Diseases’ Awareness was also the theme of the health pavilion at India International Trade Fair 2011 at New Delhi.

· New pictorial warnings notification for implementation for tobacco products packages was issued. Also rules for Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) [second amendment rules] 2011 were notified. A mass media campaign on bidi smoking and its association with Cardio Vascular Diseases was also launched.

· A dedicated Geriatric OPD was opened in AIIMS under the National Programme for Health Care of Elderly. Guidelines for NPHCE were launched and National Institutes for Ageing to be set up at AIIMS Delhi and at Madras Medical College, Chennai.

· The Annual Health Baseline Survey was carried out during July, 2010 to March, 2011. The first set of data was released in the form of a State-wise bulletin. These indicators would provide requisite inputs for better planning of health programmes and pave the way for evidence based intervention strategies.

· The Transplantation of Human Organs Amendment Bill, 2011 was passed by both Houses of Parliament in the Monsoon Session (on 12th August, 2011 by the Lok Sabha and on 26th August, 2011 by the Rajya Sabha). The Bill received assent of Hon’ble President of India on 27th September, 2011 and the Amendment Act was published in the Official Gazette of India on 28th September, 2011.

· Ministry is formulating rules under the Clinical Establishments (Registration & Regulation) Bill for ensuring better health care services.

· The Union Cabinet approved the proposal for setting up of Central Procurement Agency (CPA) for Department of Health & Family Welfare. One-time budgetary support of Rs. 50 crore to enable establishment of CPA has been pledged.

· Model Accounting Handbooks for sub-district level finance/accounts personnel for systematizing accounting practices and guiding Sub Centers, CHCs/PHCs, Village Health and Sanitation Committees, Rogi Kalyan Samitis and Block level finance and accounts staff have been rolled out in the States for their day to day guidance.

· E-training modules on finance and accounts under NRHM have been rolled out in all States for help training and enhancing the financial management capacity of finance personnel at state, district and sub-district levels.

· E-Banking – E-transfers of funds under NRHM are being undertaken up to block level in all states countrywide. In the Ministry, these e-transfers are being effected using the accredited PSU bank of the Ministry. Utilization of funds under NRHM has increased from Rs. 3204.17 crore in 2005-06 to Rs. 16,137 crores in 2010-11.

· The official website of Office of the Chief Controller of Accounts, MoHFW was launched. The Website at http://www.ccahealth.gov.in hosts information related to Accounts including expenditure & receipts; Details of Grant-in-aid/Utilization Certificate making it easy at the click of the button to know the status of fund released and utilized.

Achievements of National Rural Health Mission

Health Infrastructure

· 594 District Hospitals, 2721 Community Health Centers (CHCs), 5459 Primary Health Centers (PHCs), and 31001 Health Sub-Centers have been taken up for new construction and upgradation/renovation.

· 8351 Primary Health Centers (PHCs) have been made functional 24x7 as compared to only 1262 in 2005.

· 2353 Health facilities which include District Hospital, Sub-District Hospital and community Health Centers are functioning as First Referral units (FRUs) as compared to 955 in 2005.

· 1834 Mobile Medical units are operating in different States providing services in the interior areas covering 444 districts.

Human Resources

· As on 30th September 2011, over 1.4 lakh Human Resources have been engaged across the country on contractual basis under National Rural Health Mission which includes- 66770 ANMs, 32850 Staff Nurses, 14273 Paramedics, 10897 AYUSH Doctors, 8640 Doctors, 2994 Specialists and 3857 AYUSH Paramedics.

System strengthening

· State and District Health Societies have been set up in all the State/UTs. Similarly, State Programme Management Units and Block Programme Management Units have been provided at the district and block level.

· Planning capacity at the district level has been strengthened and Intergraded District Health Action Plan has been prepared by 636 districts.

· Co-location of AYUSH doctors has been made in 15251 health facilities at PHC, CHC and Sub-District Hospitals.

Community Monitoring

· 29952 Rogi Kalyan Samitis have been registered in the health facilities upto PHC level. (A support of Rs. 5 lakh per DH, Rs. 1 lakh per CHC and Rs. 1 lakh per PHC are given.)

· A total of 4.97 lakh Village Health Sanitation & Nutrition Committees (VHSNCs) have been constituted and 4.27 lakh joint accounts at the Village Health and Sanitation Committees and 1.45 lakh at Sub-Centers opened.

· The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana work is in full swing and the medical colleges are expected to be functional from academic session 2012-13 and hospital by 2013-14. The Residential complex at Jodhpur and Raipur has been completed and the work is in advanced stages at remaining sites except Bhubaneswar.

Medical Education

· Board of Governors of Medical Council of India reconstituted in May 2011.

· 21 new medical colleges have been established in 2011-12. A sum of Rs. 200 crore has been released to existing medical colleges in 2011-12 under the Up-gradation of colleges scheme. In 2011-12, a total number of 2350 PG seats and 4542 MBBS seats have also been added to the existing capacity. As on date, there are 335 medical colleges with more than 41569 MBBS and 21181 PG seats.

· A scheme for establishment of six colleges of nursing like AIIMS at the cost of Rs. 120 crores is under implementation.

· Under the National Mental Health Programme, Rs 470 crores have been allocated for Manpower Development through 11 Institutions of Excellence across the country, which will help produce 1,756 qualified mental health professionals annually.

· A scheme of Rs. 85 crore as financial assistance is under implementation for strengthening/up-gradation of pharmacy institutions across the country to conduct degree and PG courses.

· MoHFW set up a Task Force to frame curriculum for the Bachelor of Rural Health Care Course. The modalities if its implementation are being finalised.

· One year rotational, compulsory and paid internship was re-introduced in the Bachelor of Dental Surgery course. Accordingly now the tenure of the BDS Course is for a period of four years plus one year internship with effect from the academic year 2011-12 implemented in respect of the batches admitted from the year 2008-09.

· The National Commission for Human Resources for Health (NCHRH) Bill was tabled in Parliament to establish an overarching regulatory body for medical education and allied health sciences with a dual purpose of reforming the current regulatory framework and enhancing the supply of skilled manpower in the health sector. The proposed Commission would subsume the existing councils such as Medical Council of India, Dental Council of India, Nursing Council of India and Pharmacy Council of India.

Food regulation

· Food Safety and Standards rules were notified on 5th May 2011. Food Safety and Standards regulations were notified on 1st August 2011.With issuance of these notifications, the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act 2006 and Rules and Regulations made there under have come into force w e f 5th August 2011.

· The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India introduced online Licensing system for all the Food Business Operators who have an annual turnover of Rs 12 lakhs or more.

Drugs Regulatory Framework

· A 12 member Task Force formulated for Strengthening Drug Sector to evolve a long term strategy for addressing various issues faced by Indian Pharma Industry.

· Infrastructure strengthening - New office buildings for Zonal/Laboratories at Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chandigarh have been set up. Pharmazone at Hyderabad Airport has been established.

· Enforcement of the drugs regulatory mechanism was made more effective. More than 100 import licenses were cancelled following cancellation of registration certificates due to submission non authentic GMP certificates; Conducted raids along with CBI in Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra to unearth spurious drugs; overseas inspections of manufacturing units started from May 2011.

· For Clinical Trials regulation 12 New Drug Advisory Committees and six Medical Device Advisory Committees were constituted.

· Every approval / permission for conducting clinical trials now includes a condition that in case of study related injury or death, applicant will provide complete medical care as well as compensation for the injury or death and statement to this effect should be incorporated in the informed consent form. Further in case of such injury or death, the details of compensation provided should be intimated to the office of DCG (I).

· Guidelines for conducting Clinical Trial inspection of site and sponsor /Clinical Research Organizations have been prepared and posted on CDSCO website.

· For approval of new drugs a system of pre-screening has been introduced to determine the acceptability of applications at the time of submission for manufacturing and marketing of fixed dose combinations.

· The National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) 2011 containing 348 drugs was prepared. This was sent to the Department of Pharma for incorporation in the Drugs Price Control Order.

INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE

· India hosted the Twenty-ninth Health Ministers’ meeting of the Member States and partners in the South-East Asia Region and 64th Regional Committee Session of the South East Asian Region of the World Health Organisation in Jaipur. The ‘Jaipur Declaration’ adopted at the meeting, recognized that it is imperative that national governments accord utmost priority to hitherto neglected problem to preserve efficacy of the antimicrobial agents in our fight against microbial diseases.

· Sh Ghulam Nabi Azad led a High Level Delegation to United Nations Assembly’s special session on Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases with particular focus on developmental and other challenges and social and economic impacts, particularly for developing countries. India reaffirmed strong commitment to prevent and combat NCDs.

· India participated in the First Global Ministerial Conference on Healthy Lifestyles and Non-Communicable Disease Control held in Moscow in April where Mental Health issue was acknowledged as an important NCD at India’s instance.

· An International Conference-cum-Workshop on “Building Partnerships in Community Mental Health” was organized at National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi.

· India was unanimously re-elected as the Chairperson of Partners in Population Development Forum, a South-to-South collaboration in the fields of reproductive health, population and development, for a further three year term.

DEPTT. OF AYUSH

· A Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine was set up.

· Development of identity and quality standards of 256 Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani (ASU) and 92 homoeopathic drugs was done, including quality testing of 1342 ASU and 3709 homoeopathic samples during the 11th Plan.

· Chairs in Ayurveda and Unani were established in Charite, University of Western Cape, South Africa in 2011 to propagate the teaching of these systems.

· The Tele-homoeopathy services being implemented by the Department of AYUSH for providing essential health care through simple and safe Homoeopathic remedies in the remote part of the country was selected for the Best Jury Choice e-World award 2011 for e-Governance under the Public Private partnership category.

· For the first time, NSSO is collecting information on AYUSH in their 68th Round to be conducted from July 2011 to June 2012. This will give valuable insights into the extent of countrywide usage of A YUSH.

NATIONAL MEDICINAL PLANTS BOARD

· Supported cultivation of medicinal plants in 1,24,625.8 hectares - 74,142.8 hectares under the National Mission on Medicinal Plants and 50,483 hectares under Contractual Farming

· Vast network of ex-situ conservation established through 252 Herbal Gardens, 1798 School Herbal Gardens and 11420 Home Herbal Gardens

· NMPB supported Research Studies inter alia on Bioactivity guided fractionation studies; Sustainable harvesting; Post Harvest Management; Inter-cropping; Chemical and Molecular Profiling; Quality Planting Material

· Agro-techniques of 82 selected medicinal plants developed; 23 Facilitation Centres set up;

· Voluntary Certification for Quality Standards of Medicinal Plants finalised and Organic Certification of Medicinal Plants adopted

DEPTT. OF HEALTH RESEARCH

· Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) completed 100 years of its existence on 15th November, 2011. All through the year symposia and seminars were organized to reflect on the past and re-position the ICMR for future. ICMR also launched centenary fellowship and Shubash Mukherjee National Award for research contributions in the area of in vitro fertilization. To commemorate the contributions of ICMR Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology released a stamp on 8th November, 2011 at New Delhi. Further, Ministry of Finance released coins to acknowledge the contributions of ICMR on the concluding day on 15th Nov 2011.

· National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research, has been established at Bangalore by ICMR. This centre has the mandate to develop and sustain a national research data-base on cancer, diabetes, CVD and stroke through recent advances in electronic information technology with a national collaborative network, so as to undertake etiological, epidemiological, clinical and operational research on these diseases. It became functional on 15th September, 2011 with the holding of its first Scientific Advisory Committee.

· A new BSL IV laboratory, first of its kind in South Asia, has been established at Microbial Containment Complex, NIV Pune. This laboratory will enable the country to deal with any exotic and dangerous organism of medical importance.

· New viral and infectious disease laboratories at Chandigarh, Ranchi, Kolkatta have been approved during the year, these are in addition to labs approved last year at Lucknow, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Port Blair, Manipal, Trivandrum, Allapuzha and Raipur respectively.

· National Institute of Virology (ICMR, Pune) successfully identified the first ever reported case of human infection with Crimea Congo Hemorrhagic Fever.

· With the aim of improving the atmosphere for innovation and translation dedicated units in 26 ICMR Institutes and Headquarters have been established. During this period, ICMR continued to work programme to translate 75 such leads for development of new tools for vector control, diagnostic methods for various infectious diseases including dengue and chikunguniya, lung fluke, tuberculosis; new treatment methods to improve the treatment of tuberculosis, leprosy, cancer and many other conditions. Twenty of these technologies have become ready for application.

· New regimens for the treatment of Kala-Azar: During this period, results of clinical trials aimed at improving the treatment of Kalazar became available which are likely to lead to introduction of more user-friendly regimens in public health programme.

· A Vector Science Forum (involving different ICMR Institutes, National Vector Borne Disease Control, and other stake holders) became functional during the year. Joint programmes on research and action on vector control have been initiated.

· Introduction of Cholera vaccine into public health programmes: A heat killed oral cholera vaccine, whose trial was earlier carried out by ICMR’s NICED, at Kolkata is being introduced in cholera endemic areas of Orissa and West Bengal. Its pilot introduction in Cuttack was successful during 2011; this will now be extended by Govt of Odisha to its cholera endemic tribal districts.

· Diabetes Mellitus: Research programmes have been launched across the country to estimate the burden of diabetes and possible contributing factors. First phase of the programme has been completed during 2010. In 2nd phase, the studies have been initiated in North East States. The programme for the development of affordable diagnostic methods for diabetes, launched as initiative of HFM has gained momentum and ICMR has approved / is supporting 8 projects in the industry as well as academic institutions for this purpose.

· Tribal Health: A Tribal Health Research Forum, established in August 2010, became fully functional in 2011. This forum aims at synergising the research efforts of ICMR’s eight Institutes engaged in research on tribal populations.

DEPTT. OF AIDS CONTROL

· At the UN General Assembly special meeting for HIV/AIDS, India was acclaimed as a country with notable success in the AIDS programme. Recent HIV estimations highlight an overall reduction in adult HIV prevalence as well as new infections (HIV incidence) in the country, although variations exist across the states. Number of annual new HIV infections has declined by more than 50% during the last decade. This is one of the most important evidence on the impact of the various interventions under National AIDS Control Programme and scaled-up prevention strategies.

· Free Anti Retroviral Treatment programme was scaled up to 324 centres, and 4,48,860 patients are receiving free ART as of September 2011.

· Second line ART initiated in Centres of Excellence and more than 2,558 patients enrolled. NACO is supporting 1033 designated STI/RTI clinics and 90 new clinics been set up in 2010-11.

· Under the NACO-NRHM convergence, a joint operational framework has been prepared and standardized STI services are being operationlized with supply of color coded STI /RTI syndromic drug kits to all public sector health facilities and roll out of training through jointly developed training curriculum.

· National AIDS Control Organization to restart its ‘Red Ribbon Express’ on 12th January 2012 on the National Youth day to particularly focus on AIDS prevention, treatment and counselling efforts amongst the Youth. This would also be supplemented with Red Ribbon Buses. In its last runs the Red Ribbon Express had reached 182 stations covering over 80 lakh people across the country.

Land Provided Under Forest Right Act, 2006

2011-12-02T03:50:00.001-08:00

As per the information collected by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs from the State/UT Governments, till 31st October, 2011, more than 31.49 lakh claims have been filed and more than 12.30 lakh titles have been distributed under the Act. More than 13 thousand titles were ready for distribution.

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 seeks to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in such forests for generations but whose rights could not be recorded.

State-wise details of the claims filed, titles distributed under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 and the number of claims still pending for disposal are given below:

(As on 31.10.2011)

Sl. No.	States	Total number of claims filed	Number of titles distributed/ready for distribution	Total number of claims pending for disposal
1.	Andhra Pradesh	3,30,479	1,67,797	9,244
2.	Arunachal Pradesh	-	-	-
3.	Assam	1,31,911	36,,267	57,975
4.	Bihar	2,343	22	1,170
5.	Chhattisgarh	4,92,068	2,15,443	3,961
6.	Goa	-	-	-
7.	Gujarat	1,91,559	39,318	33,664
8.	Himachal Pradesh	5,633	7	4,599
9.	Jharkhand	34,936	13,357	6,436
10.	Karnataka	1,63,090	6,523	12,742
11.	Kerala	37,509	19,455	13,802
12.	Madhya Pradesh	4,46,659	1,51,672 distributed and 7,301 ready	30,940
13.	Maharashtra	3,39,689	1,04,767	13,127
14.	Manipur	-	-	-
15.	Meghalaya	-	-	-
16.	Mizoram	-	-	-
17.	Odisha	4,81,210	2,84,579	55,505
18.	Rajasthan	64,844	30,325	4,369
19.	Sikkim	-	-	-
20.	Tamil Nadu	21,781	3,723 ready ( In the State of Tamil Nadu, these titles could not be distributed due to restrictive High Court order.)	21,781
21.	Tripura	1,75,679	1,19,437	35,530
22.	Uttar Pradesh	92,419	13,923	5,701
23.	Uttarakhand	182	-	181
24.	West Bengal	1,37,278	27,773 distributed and 2,192 ready for distribution	30,048
25.	A & N Islands	-	-	-
26.	Daman & Diu	-	-	-
27.	Dadra & Nagar Haveli	-	-	-
	Total	31,49,269	12,30,665 distributed and 13,216 ready for distribution.	3,40,775

The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED)

2011-11-25T04:09:00.001-08:00

TheTribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) isengaged in marketing development of tribal products and provides marketingsupport to the products made by tribals through anetwork of retail outlets, which presently consist of 29 of its own outletslocated throughout the country and 14 State Government organization’s ShowRooms.

The details of purchase and sales of tribalproducts made by TRIFED in the last three years and the current year are givenbelow:-

(Rs. in Lakhs)

Sl.No. Year Purchase Sale

1 2008-09 681.78 588.78

2 2009-10 609.35 697.99

3 2010-11 656.36 954.74

4 2011-12 343.00 439.92

(ason 15.11.2011)

TRIFED also organises National Tribal CraftExpo called “AADISHILP”, painting exhibition called “AadiChitra”, “OCTAVE” for North Eastern Artisans andTribal Artisan Melas to facilitate the sale of theirproducts.

TheGovt. of India has approved a Road Map for TRIFED for the 11th five year planperiod which envisage a financial assistance to TRIFED by way of Grants-in-aidunder the Central Sector Scheme of “Marketing Development of tribalproducts/produce” for the following four main activities:-

(1) Retail Marketing Development Activity

(2) MFP Marketing Development Activity

(3) Vocation Training, Skill Upgradation and Capacity Building of ST Artisans and MinorForest Produce (MFP) Gatherers

(4) Research & Development/Intellectual Property Right (IPR)Activity.

Role of Governors in Tribal Areas

2011-11-08T04:00:00.001-08:00

Scheduled Tribe community constitute more than 8 per cent of our national population and are still waiting to receive the benefits of freedom even after a lapse of more than sixty years since we achieved independence. The tribal populations are placed at the lowest rungs of the society in terms of various developmental indicators. The lowest literacy rates, high drop-out rates, widespread poverty, high infant and maternal mortality rates, an alarmingly high incidents of malnutrition, the absence of basic facilities and scarce livelihood means have deprived them the opportunity to a dignified livelihood among the fellow citizens of our country. It is not merely a matter of coincidence that Left-Wing Extremism is prevalent in the Schedule V areas while the insurgent movements have confined themselves to Schedule VI areas. It is necessary for us to introspect and get to the bottom of the reasons and causes which has led us to this place and situation.

Despite the various efforts that have been made a large gap still remains to be bridged. The alienation of the tribal population has been growing rapidly mainly because they are being dispossessed of all their livelihood resources. The diversion of forests and common property resources for the use of non-forest purposes has resulted in the displacement of tribals from their homeland. The general apathy of official machinery, the escalating assaults related to their existing rights, the growing clout of market forces, the threat of mining and of course, the meager advancement through planned development efforts have been responsible for the growing unrest amongst this most oppressed and depressed class of people.

Towards Empowering STs

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has the responsibility of reducing these glaring gaps by supplementing the efforts of the nodal Ministries in the Government and of the State Governments through need-based interventions. It has taken up a series of programmes and schemes to empower the tribals socially, politically and economically. However, in this context, it is pertinent to mention that Governors have a vital role to play. The Governors have been endowed with certain special powers with regard the Fifth Scheduled Areas. The judicious use of the provisions enshrined in the Fifth Schedule of our Constitution will certainly make a very positive impact on the tribals living in these regions.

Under the powers conferred by the Fifth Schedule, the Governors can not only direct that any particular law or part thereof may not apply to a Scheduled Area that can also make regulation for good governance and peace in these areas. The Governors can intervene in areas relating to-Prohibition or Restriction of the transfer of land by or among Scheduled Tribe members; regulation of allotment of land in such areas; and the regulation of money-lending activities. The Governor has basically been given the legislative power to make regulations for the “peace and good government of any area which is a scheduled area.” The peace and good government are words of very wide import and give wide discretion to the Governor to make laws for such purpose.

One can recall the observations made by the President at the Governors’ Conference held on 16th and 17th of September, 2008 regarding the need for an authoritative legal opinion with respect to powers of Governors under the Fifth Schedule. The matter has since been examined in consultation with Ministry of Law and Justice and Attorney General of India has opined that “in performance of the functions and exercise of the powers under the Fifth Schedule, the Governor is not bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers of the State”. The provisions of Articles 244(1) and 244 (2) which provide for the administration of the Scheduled Areas within a State in accordance with a Fifth & Sixth Schedule respectively emerge from the Excluded and Partially- Excluded Areas as envisaged under the Government of India Act, 1935.

Implementation of PESA

The focus of the the Panchayat Extension Scheduled Areas Act, 1996 (PESA) is to recognize the Gram Sabha as a key unit of governance in the Scheduled V areas as this would in turn give the people a control over their own resources. The Gram Sabhas under PESA are meant to be competent to safe-guard and preserve the traditions of their people, community resources and customary mode of dispute resolution. The Gram Sabhas are to approve plans, select beneficiaries and give utilization certificates to the Gram Panchayat. The Gram Panchayats further have - right to mandatory consultation in matters of land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation; right to recommend prospecting licenses/mining leases for minor minerals; power to prevent alienation of land and restore alienated land; power to regulate and restrict sale/consumption of liquor; power to manage village markets, control money lending to STs; ownership of minor forest produce; control over institutions and functionaries in all social sectors; control over local plans and resources for such plans including TSP, etc and planning and management of minor water bodies.

The purpose of implementing PESA in the Scheduled V Areas is to promote self-governance in order to address the problem of exploitation. But unfortunately, the implementation of PESA has not been satisfactory despite the guidelines that have been issued in this regard to State Governments by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

Key Issues under PESA

A process of notifying villages as PESA and constituting Gram Sabhas accordingly needs to be undertaken at the earliest. Applications may be invited from the community and inquired into by an official designated by the State Government in terms of whether or not the villages proposed are as envisaged in PESA. Villages proposed as per PESA may be so notified and a Gram Sabha constituted for each village.

Recently, Ministry of Panchayati Raj has commissioned studies on laws and rules in each State, pointing out the gaps and possible new formulations. These have already been shared with the State Governments of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Orissa. Studies of remaining States will also be shared. These studies can be used for making necessary amendments.

Ministry of Panchayati Raj has framed model rules which can be used as a reference point for making rules under the relevant State Acts so that the procedures to be followed by Government functionaries are clear.

The National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) has recently prepared a training module on PESA and shared it with the States. States may adapt this training module as per their needs and intensify their efforts in capacity building.

Gram Sabha and FRA

The Gram Sabha is a congregation of the entire body of a village and cultivating this basic unit will give an opportunity to all citizens including those who have not been elected to any post to participate in the process of development and governance. It should be our earnest endeavor to ensure that the people who have been neglected for several years are made to feel that they are also a part of our democratic process.

Forest Rights Act for Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers is a land mark legislation which gave a new hope to millions of tribals who have been living in forests for generations. For the first time ever, this Act seeks to recognize and regularize the pre-existing rights of tribals living in the Scheduled Areas. The Governors of the Fifth Scheduled States may ensure the speedy implementation of the Forest Rights Act through their respective State Governments as this would reduce a lot of tension arising out of land related issues in these areas. Under the provisions of para-3 of the Fifth Schedule wherein the Governors of Scheduled Areas States are expected to make an assessment of the administration of the Scheduled Areas and send an annual report to the President of India. The said reports should also deal with the observations made by the Tribal Advisory Council of the State and indicate steps taken with respect to the recommendation of the TAC. As per the records available with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the Governor’s Report of the administration of the Scheduled Areas for the year 2009-10 is yet to come from some States. It is urged that the Governors to send this annual report in a timely manner as this would help the Ministry to evaluate the progress that has taken place in the Scheduled Areas of the States.

The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution among other things provides for the administration of tribal areas through District/Regional Councils in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura in exercise of powers given under the Constitution, the Governors of the Sixth Scheduled Areas may hold consultations with State Governments and Councils to emphasise need for having the democratic and decentralized governance at the village level. Some of the provisions that could be considered may include (i) creation of elected Village Councils where they do not exist; (ii) making Village Councils answerable to Gram Sabha; (iii) recognize Gram Sabha under the law and specify their powers and functions; (iv) mandatory and regular election for the Village Council through the State Election Commission and (v) vesting of more powers to Village Councils and Gram Sabha.

These measures will help in strengthening the democratic process and the empowerment of women which would consequently result in improved health services, education and nutrition programmes. This would also increase transparency in the process of planning, implementation and monitoring the developmental programmes. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is actively pursuing the matter relating to the constitution of a Cell in the Governor’s Office with the State Governments in order to handle the constitutional responsibilities of the Governor relating to the rights of Scheduled Tribes in the Scheduled Areas. It is hoped that these Cells are constituted by each State by the end of current financial year. It is high time that the Governors should personally intervene when necessary to deliver to the tribal population the dreams of our Founding Fathers.

Revision of the list of Scheduled Tribes in the State of Karnataka

2011-10-26T00:45:00.001-07:00

The Union Cabinet today approved the revision in the list of Scheduled Tribes in the State of Karnataka and introduction of a Bill in the Parliament for effecting the proposed insertion.

This decision will fulfill the long term demand of the `Medara` community for granting Scheduled Tribes status in the State of Karnataka. The persons belonging to the `Medara` community will be eligible to get the Scheduled Tribe certificate from the State of Karnataka and will also be eligible for all benefits meant in the Constitution for the Scheduled Tribes in the State, after the requisite amendment as per the Constitutional provision.

The verification of social status and issuance of Scheduled Tribes certificates rests with the concerned State Government or Union Territory Administration. The State Government of Karnataka will be accountable for the implementation.

Rights of Tribals and other forest dwellers recognised under the forest right act

2011-10-18T05:55:00.001-07:00

In order to provide the land and forest rights to the tribals and other forest dwellers, the Government has enacted the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, notified for operation with effect from 31.12.2007. The Act will undo the historical injustice done to tribals and Forest dwellers living there for last three generations, before13th December 2005, by providing them following rights-

RIGHTS RECOGNIZED BY THE ACT

Ø Right to hold and live in the forestland under the individual or common occupation for habitation or for self-cultivation for livelihood by a member or members of a forest dwelling Scheduled Tribe or other traditional forest dwellers.

Ø Community rights such as nistar, by whatever name called, including those used in erstwhile Princely States, zamindari or such intermediary regimes.

Ø Right of ownership, access to collect, use and dispose of minor forest produce which has been traditionally collected within or outside village boundaries.

Ø Other community rights of uses or entitlements such as fish and other products of water bodies, grazing (both settled or transhumant) and traditional seasonal resource access of nomadic or pastoralist communities.

Ø Rights including community tenures of habitat and habitation for primitive tribal groups and pre-agricultural communities.

Ø Rights in or over disputed lands under any nomenclature in any State where claims are disputed.

Ø Rights for conversion of pattas or leases or grants issued by any local authority or any State Government on forestlands to titles.

Ø Rights of settlement and conversion of all forest villages, old habitation, unsurveyed villages and other villages in forests, whether recorded, notified or not into revenue villages.

Ø Right to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community forest resources which they have been traditionally protecting and conserving for sustainable use.

Ø Rights which are recognized under any State law or laws of any Autonomous district Council or Autonomous Regional Council or which are accepted as rights of tribals under any traditional or customary law of the concerned tribe of any State.

Ø Right of access to biodiversity and community right to intellectual property and traditional knowledge related to biodiversity and cultural diversity.

Ø Any other traditional right customarily enjoyed by the forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes or other traditional forest dwellers, as the case may be, but excluding the traditional right of hunting or trapping or extracting a part of the body of any species of wild animal.

Ø Right to in situ rehabilitation including alternative land in cases where the Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers have been illegally evicted or displaced from forest land of any description without receiving their legal entitlement to rehabilitation prior to the 13th day of December, 2005.

Conservation of Tribal Culture

2011-08-30T04:56:00.000-07:00

Ministry of Tribal Affairs supports State Governments that have Tribal Research Institutes in their efforts to preserve and promote tribal culture. In addition, Ministry of Culture as part of their larger mandate for protection and preservation of India’s diverse culture also covers tribal population under its Schemes through its several attached, subordinate and autonomous organizations. Details of number of Scheduled Tribes are given below.

State/Union Territory-wise number of scheduled Tribes

S.No.	State/Union Territory	No. of Scheduled Tribes
1.	Andhra Pradesh	35
2.	Arunachal Pradesh	16
3.	Assam	29
4.	Bihar	33
5.	Chhattisgarh	42
6.	Goa	8
7.	Gujarat	32
8.	Himachal Pradesh	10
9.	Jammu and Kashmir	12
10.	Jharkhand	32
11.	Karnataka	50
12.	Kerala	43
13.	Madhya Pradesh	46
14.	Maharashtra	47
15.	Manipur	33
16.	Meghalaya	17
17.	Mizoram	15
18.	Nagaland	5
19.	Orissa	62
20.	Rajasthan	12
21.	Sikkim	4
22.	Tamil Nadu	36
23.	Tripura	19
24.	Uttaranchal	5
25.	Uttar Pradesh	15
26.	West Bengal	40
27.	Andaman & Nicobar Islands	6
28.	Dadra and Nagar Haveli	7
29.	Daman and Diu Throughout the Union Teritory	5
30.	Lakshadweep	Throughout the Union Territory: Inhabitants of the Laccadive, Minicoy and Aminidivi Islands who, and both of whose parents, were born in those islands. ‘Provided that the children who are born to inhabitants of Lakshadweep in any other place in the mainland of India shall be deemed to be inhabitants born in the islands if such children settle permanently in the islands.

Revised Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for St Students

2011-08-04T06:39:00.000-07:00

Ministry of Tribal Affairs has increased the post-matric scholarship for ST students w.e.f. 01-07-2010. The details of revision of the Scheme are :

Parental Income Ceiling Raised : From Rs. 1.45 lakh to Rs. 2.00 lakh per annum

RE-GROUPING OF COURSES

Pre-Revised Courses	Revised Courses
Group I Degree and Post Graduate level courses (including M.Phil, Ph.D and Post Doctoral research) in Medicine (Allopathic, Indian and other recognized systems of medicines), Engineering, Technology, Agriculture, Veterinary and Allied Sciences, Management, Business Finance, Business Administration and Computer Applications/Science. Commercial Pilot License (including helicopter pilot and Multi Engine rating) Course.	Group I (i) Degree and Post Graduate level courses including M.Phil., Ph.D. and Post Doctoral research in Medicine (Allopathic, Indian and other recognized systems of medicines), Engineering, Technology, Planning, Architecture, Design, Fashion Technology, Agriculture, Veterinary & Allied Sciences, Management, Business Finance /Administration, Computer Science/ Applications.
	(ii) Commercial Pilot License (including helicopter pilot and multiengine rating) course.
	(iii) Post Graduate Diploma courses in various branches of management & medicine.
	(iv) C.A./I.C.W.A./C.S./I.C.F.A. etc.
	(v) M. Phil., Ph.D. and Post Doctoral Programmes (D. Litt., D.Sc. etc.) – a) In existing Group II courses b) In existing Group III courses
	(vi) L.L.M.
Group II Other professional and technical graduate and Post Graduate (including M.Phil, Ph.D. and Post Doctoral research) level courses not covered in Group I. C.A./ICWA/C.S. etc. courses. All Post Graduate, Graduate level Diploma courses, all Certificate Level Courses	Group II (i) Graduate/ Post Graduate courses leading to Degree, Diploma, Certificate in areas like Pharmacy (B Pharma), Nursing(B Nursing), LLB, BFS, other para-medical branches like rehabilitation, diagnostics etc., Mass Communication, Hotel Management & Catering, Travel/Tourism/Hospitality Management, Interior Decoration, Nutrition & Dietetics, Commercial Art, Financial Services (e.g. Banking, Insurance, Taxation etc.) for which entrance qualification is minimum Sr. Secondary (10+2).
	(ii) Post Graduate courses not covered under Group I eg. MA/M Sc/M.Com/M Ed./M. Pharma etc.
Group III All other courses leading to a graduate or above degree (not covered in group I & II).	Group III All other courses leading to a graduate degree not covered under Group I & II eg. BA/B Sc/B Com etc.
Group IV All post matriculation level courses before taking up graduation like classes XI and XII in 10+2 system and intermediate examination etc., not covered in Group 'II' or ‘III’. ITI courses, other vocational courses (if minimum required qualification to pursue the course is at least matriculation).	Group IV All post-matriculation level non-degree courses for which entrance qualification is High School (Class X), e.g.senior secondary certificate (class XI and XII); both general and vocational stream, ITI courses, 3 year diploma courses in Polytechnics, etc.

REVISED RATES OF MAINTENANCE & OTHER ALLOWANCES

Maintenance Allowances

Group of Courses	Monthly rates of Maintenance Allowance (In Rupees)
	Pre-revised		Revised w.e.f. 01-07-2010
	Day Scholars	Hostellers	Day Scholars	Hostellers
I	330	740	550	1200
II	330	510	530	820
III	185	355	300	570
IV	140	235	230	380

Other Allowances

(In Rupees)

Items	Pre-revised Rates	Revised Rates
1. Study Tour Charges (Per Annum)	1000	1600
2. Thesis Typing/Printing Charges (Per Annum)	1000	1600
3. Book Grant for Correspondence Courses (Per Annum)	750	1200
4. Allowance for Students with Disability
(i) Reader Allowance for Blind Scholars (PM)	150 (Group I&II) 125 (Group III) 100(Group IV)	240(Group I&II) 200(Group III) 160 (Group IV)
(ii) Transport Allowance for Disabled Students : (as defined under the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995), if such students do not reside in the hostel which is within the premises of the Educational Institution. (PM)	100	160
(iii) Escort Allowance for Severely Handicapped : Day Scholars/Students with low extremity disability (PM)	100	160
(iv) Helper Allowance: admissible to any employee of the hostel willing to extend help to a severely orthopedically handicapped student residing in the hostel of an Educational Institution who may need the assistance of a helper. (PM)	100	160
(v) Coaching Allowance to Mentally Retarded and Mentally ill Students (PM)	150	240

STATE-WISE NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES UNDER THE SCHEME OF POST MATRIC SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ST STUDENTS DURING 2010-11.

Sl. No.	NAME OF STATE/UT	No. of Anticipated Beneficiaries
1	Andhra Pradesh	287862
2	Arunachal Pradesh	1
3	Assam	79744
4	Bihar	3355
5	Chhattisgarh	93766
6	Goa	1500
7	Gujarat	142521
8	Himachal Pradesh	2616
9	Jammu & Kashmir	10190
10	Jharkhand	48438
11	Karnataka	78978
12	Kerala	12210
13	Madhya Pradesh	106728
14	Maharashtra	160552
15	Manipur	46619
16	Meghalaya	64110
17	Mizoram	39770
18	Nagaland	41888
19	Orissa	60476
20	Rajasthan	189495
21	Sikkim	2206
22	Tamil Nadu	4580
23	Tripura	16744
24	Uttar Pradesh	0.00
25	Uttrakhand	18002
26	West Bengal	45998
27	A.& N. Islands	658
28	Daman & Diu	0
	Total	1559007

TRIFED and NSTFDC Sign MoU for Economic Development of Scheduled Tribes Artisans

2011-06-30T05:45:00.000-07:00

The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) and the National Scheduled Tribes Finance Development Corporation (NSTFDC) here today signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for using their synergy for the economic development of needy Scheduled Tribes.

The MoU will be implemented on pilot basis for the weavers of district Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh some of whom have undergone intensive four month long training conducted by TRIFED with a master craftsman at Kullu to weave shawls with Kinnauri design. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Kanti Lal Bhuria said that the Central Government is committed to the all round development of people belonging to the Scheduled Tribe community. The Minister said, the government will further strengthen TRIFED and NSTFDC so that they can render their services for the betterment of tribal population. The Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Mahadeo Singh Khandela and Secretary of the Ministry, Shri A.K. Chugh were also present on the occasion. The salient features of the MoU are as under: • NSTFDC would provide concessional financial assistance for procuring project related assets and for working capital to TRIFED empanelled artisans through it SCAs. • Financial assistance upto Rs.50,000/- would be available to individual artisans and upto Rs.5.00 lacs to Self Help Groups/Coop. Societies. The interest chargeable from women artisans will be @4% p.a. and @ 6% p.a. from men artisans. • TRIFED will buy back the products from the tribal artisans and market them through their outlets spread throughout the country and through exhibitions. TRIFED will also assist in providing design inputs and in improving quality through consumer feedback. • TRIFED will facilitate recovery of loan from artisans to the extent of purchases made by TRIFED from such artisans. • The funds will be channelised through Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, Solan. TRIFED, an organization under Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is engaged in marketing development of tribal products, including tribal art & craft under the brand name “TRIBES INDIA”. As a part of its marketing development initiative, TRIFED, with the financial assistance from the Ministry, is establishing a network of retail outlets across the country to market tribal products. It has already established a network of 27 own outlets besides tie-up with 13 State Government’s Emporia throughout the country. NSTFDC provides financial assistance at concessional rates of interest to STs for undertaking income generating activities and for procurement and marketing of minor forest produce and other tribal products. The assistance is provided through its State level Channelising Agencies (SCAs), certain Public Sector Banks, Regional Rural Banks, National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), etc. The assistance is available to STs having annual family income upto double the poverty line (DPL), which is Rs.39,500/- for rural areas and Rs.54,500/- for urban areas.

Peda -- Sweet Lifeline of Jharkhand

2011-06-29T05:11:00.001-07:00

Faith For Some, Money For All

2011-06-29T05:09:00.001-07:00

Need to preserve - A Tribe's Oral History

2011-06-29T05:07:00.000-07:00

Civil Services related coaching funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs

2011-06-20T05:30:00.001-07:00

The State-wise details of Civil Services related coaching funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs under the scheme of Coaching for Scheduled Tribes during the last three years i.e. 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 is given below:



				(Rs. in lakh)
Name of the State	Name of the State/UT/ University/Private Institutions	Name of the Course	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
			Funds Released	Funds Released	Funds Released
Chattisgarh	Career Plus Educational Society, 302-A-37-38-39, Ansal Building, 3rd Floor, Near Batra Cinema, Dr. Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi - 09 (for Chhattisgarh)	1) Civil Services/State Civil Service(Pre.)	19.00*	55.01*	41.41*
	Delhi Education Centre, 28A/11, Gia Saria, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, Delhi - 10016 (for Chhattisgarh)	Civil Services/State Civil Service(Pre.)	9.00	17.75	0.00
Delhi	Career Plus Educational Society, 302-A-37-38-39, Ansal Building, 3rd Floor, Near Batra Cinema, Dr. Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi - 09 (for Delhi)	1) Civil Services/State Civil Service(Pre.) 2) Civil Services/State Civil Services(Main)	18.80	24.06	38.41
	Delhi Education Centre, 28A/11, Gia Saria, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, Delhi - 10016 (for Delhi)	1)Civil Services/State Civil Service(Pre.) 2) Civil Services/State Civil Services(Main)	8.80	18.00	14.62
Jharkhand	Jharkhand Vikas Sansthan, L-104, Agrora Housing Colony, Ranchi, Jharkhand	Civil Services/State Civil Service(Pre.)	0.00	0.00	10.50
	Hans Study Centre, 76, Circular Road, Ranchi, Jharkhand	Civil Services/State Civil Service(Pre.)	0.00	0.00	10.95
Madhya Pradesh	Krestar Educational & Welfare Society,2nd Floor, Yamonotri Apartment 96, Nehru Colony, Thatipur, Gwalior, Pin-474011, M.P.	1) Civil Services/State Civil Service(Pre.) 2) Civil/State Civil Service(Main)	18.00	33.90	30.44
	Kothari Institute, 7, Shivvilas Palace, Rajwada Chock, Indore, MP	1) Civil Services/State Civil Service(Pre.) 2) Civil/State Civil Service(Main)	15.00*	29.94*	36.82*
	Kundan Kalyan Samiti (Kautilya Academy), Birla Nagar, Gwalior, M. P.	Civil Services/State Civil Service(Pre.)	0.00	0.00	11.00
Rajasthan	B.L.Saini Coaching Center, Tonk Phatak, Jaipur, Rajasthan - 302018, Rajasthan	Civil Services/State Civil Service(Pre.)	17.60*	28.39*	24.37*
Tripura	School of Science, At-Kungaban, Distt-West Tripura, Tripura	Civil Services/State Civil Service	0.00	0.00	9.00
West Bengal	North Bengal Subanta Pally Foundation of Global Environment, At-Paul Bhawan, Shivmandir, PO- Kadamtala, Distt-Darjeeling, W. B.	Civil Services/State Civil Service	0.00	0.00	9.00
Note: * Funds includes coaching for other Competitive Examinations.

First Meeting of Standing Committee of National Council for Tribal Welfare

2011-01-13T05:25:00.000-08:00

National Council for Tribal Welfare constituted under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister is an important step to ensure speedy development of Tribal population on all fronts. In addition to the Council, a Standing Committee has also been constituted which is chaired by the Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Kantilal Bhuriaji who inaugurated its first meeting here today. The Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Dr. Tushar A Chaudhary, the Secretary, Shri A. K. Chugh, member ministries and members from different States were also present there.

The meeting finalized the Agenda Points for National Council for Tribal Welfare. These points pertain to three important issues i.e. (i) National Tribal Policy, (ii) the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and (iii) the implementation of the provisions of PESA Act 1996.

During deliberations, Shri Bhuria apprised the members of the National Tribal Policy which is a comprehensive document containing objectives, strategy, major issues concerning Scheduled tribes, monitoring, evaluation & review followed by an Action-Plan. He further added, “The Objectives of this policy are providing regulatory protection, socio-economic empowerment, protection of cultural and traditional rights, ensuring access to privileges granted under various existing legislations and conservation & protection of intellectual property regime of Scheduled Tribes and its proper utilization on a commercial format. The time-bound Action Plan is meant for ensuring effective implementation at the ground level. This draft Policy shall be placed before the Cabinet for final approval after it is approved by the National Council for Tribal Welfare. I sincerely hope that this process shall be completed fast and our draft National Tribal Policy will come into effect to transform the lives of our tribal people”.

Shri Kedar Kashyap, the Minister for ST and SC Welfare from Chhattisgarh stated that the State will give its formal view on the Draft Policy after consultation with Tribes Advisory Council (TAC). He insisted that in case of Land acquisition for an industry, one member from a family should be given job. He also emphasized the need for woman-empowerment.

Kunwar Vijay Shah, the Minister for ST and SC Welfare from Madhya Pradesh also wanted consultation with Tribes Advisory Council. He was of the opinion that the tribals who change their religion should not get the benefit of reservation because after conversion their traditions and culture change. He pointed out that forest areas where pattas have been given to tribals should be de-notified. The compensation package for people who are willing to move out of Protected Areas should be enhanced. He also urged the Central Government to decide about the status of Bangladesh migrant who are claiming to be tribal.

During the deliberations, Shri P. Balaraju, the Minister for Tribal Welfare from Andhra Pradesh raised the problem being faced during the construction of roads in tribal areas due to Forest Conservation Act.

Shri Bijay Ranjan Singh Barihar, the Minister for ST & SC Development, Orissa pointed out the problems of tribals living outside Scheduled Areas. He said that a Scheduled Tribe in one State should be considered Scheduled Tribe in all other States. Skill development and capacity building should be undertaken in PPP mode. Challenges in the implementation of Tribal Policy should be addressed.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) pointed out that Right to Education (RTE) Act has came into existence after the Tribal Policy had been drafted. RTE Act takes care of many issues envisaged in the draft Tribal Policy. It was pointed out that target of 3% per year increase in literacy rate is a bit high. Instead, stress on reducing the gap between rate of increase of literacy in the general population and tribal population be given.

Regarding the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, that receives attention at the highest level of the Government, participating States expressed satisfaction over the implementation of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. However, they expressed the need to have a mechanism to address the issue of livelihood and its sustainability. If needed, a separate economic package for their socio-economic upliftment be worked out. Concerns were expressed about non-ST people depending upon forest and who are not Other Traditional Forest Dwellers as per Forest Rights Act. In Sixth Scheduled Areas, like in Meghalaya, where most of land is owned by individual or community, applicability of Forest Rights Act has to be examined in that context.

The Minister of State, Dr. Chaudhary informed the members that till 31st December, 2010, as many as 30,31,624 forest rights claims have been filed, 11,06,541 ‘pattas’ distributed and more than 32,000 ‘pattas’ are ready for distribution. However, claims for community forest rights are not forthcoming in good numbers. He also requested the members from the States to look into it.

The Minister further added, “As the forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers are at the bottom of the economic ladder, with legal title of their forest land, these marginalized people will not only be able to enjoy the benefit to this right, they will be entitled to the benefits of various welfare schemes as well. Their livelihood standards will improve, they will be empowered economically, they will feel secured and confident and will be encouraged to go with their traditional methods of reinforcing the ecological sustainability of our forests”.