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MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

CITIZENS CHARTER

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs was constituted in October, 1999 by
bifurcation of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment with the
objective of more focused attention on integrated socio-economic
Development of the most under privileged section of Indian society, the
Scheduled Tribes (STs) in a coordinated and planned manner. However,
sectoral programmes and schemes pertaining to development of these
communities, policy, planning, monitoring, evaluation, etc. as also their
coordination is the responsibility of the concerned Central Ministries/
Departments, State Governments and UT Administrations. Each Central
Ministry/ Department is the nodal Ministry or Department concerning its
sector. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, however, supports the efforts of the
line Ministries and administers schemes and programmes for focused
supplementation in various areas, particularly in those in which Scheduled
Tribes are under served.

MANDATE OF THE MINISTRY
The following is the mandate of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Social security and social insurance with respect to the Scheduled
Tribes.

Tribal Welfare: Tribal Welfare planning, project formulation,
research, evaluation, statistics and training.

Promotion and development of voluntary efforts on tribal welfare.

Scheduled Tribes, including scholarship to students belonging to such
tribes.

Development of scheduled Tribes.
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* All matters including legislation relating to the rights of forest
dwelling Scheduled Tribes on forest lands.

NOTE:- The Ministry of Tribal Affairs shall be the nodal Ministry for
overall policy, planning and coordination of programmes of development for
the Scheduled Tribes. In regard to sectoral programmes and schemes of
development of these communities policy, planning, monitoring, evaluation
etc. as also their coordination will be the responsibility of the concerned
Central Ministries/ Departments, State Governments and Union Territory
Administrations. Each Central Ministry/Department will be the nodal
Ministry or Department concerning its sector.

* Scheduled Areas:

* matters relating to autonomous districts of Assam excluding
roads and bridge works and ferries thereon; and

* regulations framed by the Governors of States for Scheduled
Areas and for Tribal Areas specified in Part A of the Table appended
to paragraph 20 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution.

* Commission to report on the administration of Scheduled Areas
and the welfare of the Scheduled Tribes; and

* issue of directions regarding the drawing up and execution of
schemes essential for the welfare of the Scheduled Tribes in any State.

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.

Implementation of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 (22 of
1955) and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention
of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (33 of 1989), excluding administration of
criminal justice in regard to offences in so far as they relate to
Scheduled Tribes.


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AUTONOMOUS ORGANISATIONS

There are two autonomous organizations under the Ministry of Tribal
Affairs :

1) The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation
(NSTFDC): (www.nstfdc.nic.in )

Set up in April 2001 as a Government Company under Section 25 (a
Company not for profit) of the Companies Act, 1956 under the
Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
It is the apex organisation for providing financial assistance for
scheme(s)/project(s) for the economic development of Scheduled
Tribes.
The authorized Share Capital of the Company is Rs. 500 crore.

2) The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India
Limited (TRIFED): (http://tribal.nic.in)

Established in 1987 by registration under the Multi-State Cooperative
Societies Act, 1984 (now the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act
2002).
Recognized as a National Cooperative Society under the new Act.
In consonance with the new Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act,
2002.
Amended its bye-laws on 2
nd
April 2003 as per which the main
objective of TRIFED is marketing development of tribal products.
The Federation is expected to act as a service provider to its member
societies.
The new bye-laws will guide the policies, strategies and actions of the
Federation in years to come.
TRIFED has its registered and head office located in New Delhi and
has a network of 14 branch offices/ field offices at various places in
the country.


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OUR VISION


Reducing and removing the gap in the HDI of the tribal population
and the general population to bring them at par by 2020.
Reduction in the drop out rate at primary level by a minimum of five
percent and at secondary level by a minimum of three percent every
year, to bring STs at par with the rest by the end of the Eleventh Plan.
Ensuring access to health care services, safe drinking water and
improved sanitation by the end of the Eleventh Five Year plan.
Ensuring food security to all ST families below the poverty line,
providing 25 Kgs of food grain per ST family per month, and
transferring management and ownership of PDS to the community.
Providing livelihood opportunities in addition to the guaranteed
employment of at least 100 days by improving the production capacity
of the natural resource base so as to reduce the number of ST persons
below the poverty line by a minimum of two percent every year and
bring STs at par with the rest by 2020.
Social, economic and political empowerment of STs, especially
women to enable them to exercise effective control over their natural
resource base and make informed choices.
Creating physical and social infrastructure in Scheduled / Tribal areas
to optimize utilization of resources and achieve the levels of growth
required to bring it at par with the rest of the State by 2020.
Realisation of 50% of total irrigation potential in tribal areas by the
end of the Eleventh Five Year Plan and the total potential by 2020.
Increase the participation of STs in sports and culture at local,
District, State and National levels by encouraging their inherent talent
and ensure participation at national and international events by 2020.
Promotion and development of tribal handicrafts and organic and
ethnic products through standardization, design support, branding and
organized marketing and establishing niche markets for the products
by 2020.
Creation of awareness about and elimination of evil and anti-social
practices such as addiction to alcohol and drugs, witchcraft, etc.
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Examination of customary practices of inheritance, that exclude
women, and modification of such practices.
Arresting the increasing demand from new communities for inclusion
in the list of STs by rationalizing the process of scheduling.
Examine the need for de-scheduling of certain STs and sub-
categorization of existing STs to ensure that benefits are evenly spread
across the tribes by 2020.
Focusing on the development of Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) to
be renamed as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, by formulating
conservation-cum-development micro plans for socio-economic and
cultural development suited to the requirements of such Groups and to
bring them at par with other STs by 2020.
Development of nomadic and semi-nomadic Tribes through need
based specific programmes.
Conservation and protection of the intellectual property regime of STs
and its proper utilization on a commercial format ensuring that their
rights and share remain intact.

OUR MISSION
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has special concern and commitment for the
well-being of the Schedule Tribes, who suffer as a group due to their social
and economic backwardness and relative isolation. The major policies of
the Ministry are accordingly aimed at active and informed participation of
the Schedule Tribes in the entire development process along with creation of
critical infrastructure in tribal areas.
OUR CLIENTS
Scheduled Tribes
Primitive Tribal Groups

Within these, our focus is on the less privileged, those below the poverty
line etc.

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OUR PROGRAMMES/ SCHEMES

The Ministry releases funds to State Governments/ UT
Administrations/ Non-Government Organisations/ Institutions for
implementing the following programmes/ schemes for development of
Scheduled Tribes:

Section-I Central Sector Schemes

Grant-in-Aid to NGOs for welfare of STs including Coaching & Allied
Scheme and award for exemplary service: A wide spectrum of projects,
which are of direct benefit to the tribals, are considered under the scheme
Grant-in-Aid to Non-Governmental Organizations. The major projects
include residential schools, hostels, mobile medial dispensaries, computer
training units, etc. The grant is generally restricted to 90% of the total
approved cost of the project; the balance 10% is borne by the voluntary
organizations.

Under the scheme component of Coaching & Allied Scheme for STs, free
coaching facilities are provided to ST students through pre-examination
training centres, to help them compete in various competitive examinations.
The pre-examination training centres for STs run by State Governments/
Universities/ private coaching Institutes are also eligible for assistance under
the Scheme.

The Ministry has formulated a Scheme for strengthening the
infrastructure and capacity building of organizations, which have
established themselves in the field of welfare of STs and have been
providing exemplary services. Under the Scheme, Organisations declared as
Established Voluntary Agencies (EVAs) by the Ministry or Organisations,
which have received grants from the Ministry for five or more years, are
provided grants upto Rs. 10.00 lakh for infrastructure building in such areas
where no such facilities exist, even on a rental basis.

Vocational Training Centres in Tribal Areas: The main aim of this
scheme is to develop the skill of the tribal youth in order to gain
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employment/ self-employment. This scheme is implemented through the
State Governments, UT Administration, Institutions or Organizations set up
by Government as autonomous bodies, educational and other institutions
like local bodies and cooperative societies and Non-Governmental
Organizations. Each centre may cater to five vocational courses in
traditional skills depending upon the employment potential of the area. At
the end of the training each trainee is attached to a master craftsman in a
semi-urban/urban area for a period of six months to learn his/her skill by
practical experience. There is provision for a monthly stipend and raw
material for the trainees.

Educational Complexes in low literacy pockets: The scheme was
introduced for improving literacy among ST women in low literacy districts,
i.e., districts with less than 10% female literacy. It was implemented
through Non Governmental and other institutions like Local Bodies and
Cooperative Societies. A total of 134 districts in 14 States are covered under
the scheme. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides full assistance for
setting up of the educational complexes. A complex is a residential school,
meant for girls studying in classes I to V with strength of 30 girls in every
class. Boarding and lodging is free for the students. There is a provision for
adult education for the parents of the girls in the evening.

Development of PTGs: There are certain tribal communities who have a
low level of literacy, declining or stagnant population, pre-agricultural level
of technology and are economically backward. 75 such groups have been
identified and have been categorized as Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs).
They constitute the most vulnerable section among the STs. Under this
scheme, funds are made available for infrastructure development, agriculture
development, income generation activities, life insurance, etc.

Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for ST students: This is a newly
launched Central Sector scheme started in 2005-06. The objective of the
scheme is to provide fellowships in the form of financial assistance to
students belonging to STs to pursue higher studies such as M. Phil and Ph.D.
The scheme covers all Universities and Institutions recognized by the
University Grants Commission (UGC) under Section 2 (f) of the UGC Act.
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The scheme is implemented through the UGC.

Investment/ Price Support to TRIFED: The Tribal Cooperative Marketing
Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED), set up by the
Government of India 1987, has assumed the responsibility for market
development of tribal products. For meeting the unforeseen contingencies of
losses because of such fluctuations in the prices and to ensure remunerative
prices to the tribal farmers for their produce, the Ministry has been giving
financial assistance to TRIFED to set off a part of such losses.

Grant-in-Aid to State TDCCs for MFPs: (MFP) or non-timber forest
produce (NTFP) is an important source of earning for tribals. Most of the
States have set up Tribal Development Cooperative Corporations, Minor
Forest Produce Trade and Development Federations or Forest Development
Corporations for dealing with MFP items. Grants given under this scheme
can be utilized by the State for i) increasing the quantum of MFP handled by
setting off operational losses, if need be; ii.) strengthening the share capital
base of the Corporation for undertaking MFP operations thereby increasing
the quantum of MFP presently handled; iii.) setting up of scientific
warehousing facilities, where necessary; iv.) establishing processing
industries for value addition with the objective of ensuring maximum returns
on the MFPs for the tribals; v.) giving consumption loans to tribals; and vi.)
supplementing Research and Development (R&D) efforts.

Support to National State Scheduled Tribes Finance & Development
Corporations (NSTFDC was set up in April 2001 as a government
company under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 (a not-for-profit
company). It is the apex institution for financing scheme(s)/ project(s) for
economic development of the STs. The broad objectives of NSTFDC are to
provide financial assistance for identified trades/ business/ professions and
other economic activities of importance, upgradation of skills and to make
the existing State STs Finance & Development Corporations more effective.
To meet above objectives NSTFDC provides finance for viable income
generating scheme(s)/ project(s) through the State Channelising Agencies
(SCAs) and also provides grants for skill development programmes, besides
facilitating upgradation of skills of officers of SCAs through periodic
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training programmes. State Tribal Development Finance Corporations
mobilise finances for economic development of STs living below the
poverty line. The State Corporations mainly take up employment-oriented
schemes in the areas of i.) Agriculture and allied sector ii.) Minor irrigation
iii) Trades and Services iv.) Transport and v.) Self-Employment schemes.
Under the scheme financial assistance is provided to' the State Corporations
as 49% share capital investment, the remaining 51 % being borne by the
respective State Government.

Section-II Centrally Sponsored Schemes

Scheme of Post Matric Scholarships, Book Bank & Upgradation of
Merit of ST Students: The objective of the scheme Post Matric
Scholarships is to provide financial assistance to students belonging to STs
pursuing recognized Post-Matric courses in recognized institutions. The
scheme is implemented by State Governments and UT Administrations,
which receive 100% Central Assistance over and above the committed
liability which is required to be borne by them from their own budget. Books
are also provided to deserving ST students pursuing Medical, Engineering,
Agriculture, Veterinary, Polytechnics, Law, Chartered Accountancy, MBA
and Bio-sciences courses.

The objective of the scheme of Upgradation of Merit of ST Students is to
enhance the academic abilities of ST students by providing them remedial
and special coaching in classes IX to XII. While the remedial coaching aims
at removing deficiencies in various subjects, the special coaching is provided
with' a view to prepare the students for competitive examinations for seeking
entry into professional courses such as Engineering and Medicine. The
scheme provides for 100% central assistance to States/ UT's. A package
grant of Rs. 15,000/- per student per year is provided and States/ UTs are not
required to bear any financial burden.

Girls Hostel & Boys Hostel for STs: Under the scheme, Central assistance
is given to States/ UTs for construction of new hostel buildings and/ or
extension of existing hostels. The cost of the construction of the hostel
building is equally shared between the Centre and the State in the ratio of
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50:50. In case of UTs, the Central Government bears the entire cost of the
building.

Establishment of Ashram School in Tribal Sub Plan Areas: The scheme
was launched with the objective of extending facilities like establishment of
residential schools for STs, for primary, middle, secondary and senior
secondary stages, in an environment conducive to learning to increase the
literacy rates among the tribal students and to bring them at par with the
other population of the country. The funding for the scheme to the State is
done on matching (50:50) basis, while 100% assistance is given to UTs.

The Scheme Research Information & Mass Education, Tribal Festivals
& Others: has three components viz i) Grants-in-aid to Tribal Research
Institutes on 50:50 sharing basis between States and the Center, ii.) Award
of Research Fellowships on 100% grant basis in various aspects of tribal
development (for doctoral and post-doctoral programmes), iii.) Supporting
Projects of All India or Inter-State Nature, under which 100% grant is
provided to the institutes/ research organizations/ universities for conducting
research and evaluation studies, seminar/ workshop and publication of
literature related to Tribal Development.

Under the Programmes of Information and Mass Media, the Ministry of
Tribal Affairs had got documentary films made on various aspects of tribal
life, including their cultures, traditions, education, socio-economic
development and welfare schemes of the Ministry. The documentaries
produced by the Ministry are being telecast by Doordarshan on a weekly
basis under the programme titled Janjaitya Darpan. Janjatiya Jagran is a
quarterly Newsletter being published by this Ministry. Copies of this
Newsletter are despatched up to the level of Panchayats having ST
population, to disseminate information on various development programmes
being implemented by the Ministry for the welfare of STs.

Section-III Special Area Programmes

Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Plan: The programme was
started in 1974-75. The Ministry supplements the efforts of the State
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Governments by extending Special Central Assistance (SCA) to State Tribal
Sub-Plans (TSP). The objective and scope of SCA to TSP which was
originally meant for filling up of the critical gaps in the family-based
income-generation activities of the TSP, has been expanded to cover the
employment-cum-income generation activities and the infrastructure
incidental thereto, not only family-based, but also community-based,
through cluster approach. SCA is provided to 21 TSP States and 2 Union
Territories (UTs). However, since 2003-04 the funds meant for UTs have
been provided in the budget of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The SCA is
released for economic development of the STs in the (ITDPs), (MADA)
Pockets, Clusters including Primitive Tribes and Dispersed Tribal Groups.
The ultimate objective of extending SCA to TSP is to boost the demand-
based income-generation programmes in tribal areas and thus raise the
economic and social status of STs.

Development of Forest Villages, started during 2005-06, under SCA to
TSP, aims at integrated development of forest villages by providing the
basic and essential developmental facilities in the forest villages such as
schools, dispensary/ hospital, electric and communication lines, drinking
water, water/ rainwater harvesting structures, minor irrigation canal, non-
conventional sources of energy, skill up-gradation/ vocational training
centres, power sub-stations, communication posts and police establishments
like police stations/ outposts/ border outposts/ watch towers in sensitive
areas

Grants under the First Proviso to Article 275 (1) of the Constitution of
India: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs provide grants to 21 Tribal Sub-Plan
and 4 tribal majority States of the country under the First Proviso to Article
275 (1) of the Constitution of India to meet the cost of such projects for
tribal development as may be undertaken by the State Governments for
raising the level of administration of the Scheduled Areas therein to that of
the rest of the state. Since 1997-98, it has been decided to utilize a part of the
funds under Article 275 (1) of the Constitution of India for setting up 100
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) from class 6th to 12th in
different States for tribal students to enable tribal students avail of the
facility of reservation in higher and professional educational courses as well
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as in higher levels of jobs in the Government and public sector undertakings.
The grants are provided to the States on the basis of ST population
percentage in the State to the total tribal population of the Country.

National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for STs: The Scheme provides
financial assistance to meritorious students for pursuing higher studies
abroad in specified fields of Master level courses, Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral
research programmes, in the field of Engineering, Technology and Science
for STs, and Primitive Tribal Groups. The total income from all sources of
the employed candidate or his/her parents/guardian should not exceed Rs.
18,000/- per month. The selected candidates are provided the cost of actual
fees as charged by the foreign university/institution, maintenance and other
grants along with travel expenses. In addition passage grants are also
available to candidates belonging to ST who are in receipt of merit
scholarship for postgraduate studies, research or training abroad from a
foreign government/organization or under any other scheme where cost of
passage is not provided.



















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GRIEVANCES REDRESSAL MECHANISM

The Ministry is committed to redress grievances in a responsible and
effective manner. The salient measures are:
Dr. Bachittar Singh, I.A.S, Joint Secretary (Administration) functions
as Director Grievances in order to ensure expeditious redressal of
grievances. On Wednesday from 3:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m, the public can
meet the Grievance Officer with their grievances and complaints (Tele
No. 23073817, Room No.741, A-Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi).

A Grievance Cell has been set up in the office of Shri Somen
Choudhary, Section Officer, Room No.401, B-Wing, Shastri Bhawan.
The citizen can put in complaint/ suggestion on phone No.23389881.

Right to Information Act

The names of Officers functioning as Central Public Information Officer and
the appellate authority in the Ministry under the Right to Information Act are
available on the Ministrys website.















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The Citizens Charter will be reviewed annually for further improving
our response to the public. The information with regard to other programmes
and activities can be accessed on the Ministrys Website http://tribal.nic.in
Ministry of Tribal Affairs Important Telephone Numbers
I. MAIN SECRETARIAT
1. Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi. 23388482, 23381499
2. Secretary, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi. 23381652
3. Joint Secretary (Administration), Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi. 23073817
II. AUTONOMOUS ORGANISATIONS
1 Managing Director, Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development
Federation of India Limited (TRIFED), New Delhi
26866084
2 Chairman & Managing Director, National Scheduled Tribes Finance
and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), New Delhi
26712519



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