A month after the prime minister (PM) said they must be the primary beneficiaries of the development process, the government has drawn up a comprehensive plan to wean tribals away from violence and Maoists.
The scheme includes opening residential schools and medical colleges in tribal areas, creating employment and giving them a bigger share in governance. While a national tribal policy awaits political clearance, the government is setting up a national tribal advisory council, likely to be headed by PM, to review and monitor schemes for tribals.
States with high tribal populations will get two English-medium residential schools that will accommodate roughly 320 boys and girls on the lines of the Navodaya Vidyalayas. “English is needed for employment. So, while these children will be taught other languages also, the emphasis will be on English,” Kanti Lal Bhuria, minister for tribal affairs, said.
The schools will be managed by the educated tribals. “The only way to wean them away from Maoists is through development. Unemployment is driving them to violence. We are involving civil society and NGOs to win their confidence. It has been decided that no teacher will be hired from outside for schools in tribal areas,” Bhuria said.
The government plans to open at least one primary school every 1 km and a secondary school every 3 km. As per the 1991 census, literacy among tribals was 29.6% against the national average of 52.2%.
PM had pointed out at a recent conference of tribal affairs ministers of states the systemic failure in giving tribals a stake in the modern economic processes.
About 185 districts provide 65% of the country’s forest cover. However, 186 districts, including many in tribal areas, are naxal-affected.
To generate employment, the government wants contracts of all work done in tribal areas to be given to tribals. “The government would also ensure all unemployed tribals either get jobs under NREGA or are paid unemployment allowance,” Bhuria said.
The Centre also plans to restrict states from diverting funds allocated for tribal development programmes for other purposes. The government has allocated Rs421.50 crore for various central-sector schemes, besides Rs383.50 crore have been earmarked this fiscal for centrally-sponsored plans. Rs1,316 crore has been set aside for the family-oriented income-generating scheme.
“It has been found that funds allocated for tribals go unutilised in many states. No fresh funds will be provided to states that do not use the money in given time with a report to the Centre. Non-compliance may lead to curbing of funds on other accounts too,” Bhuria said.
Since tribals become easy victims of moneylenders, special efforts will be made to improve institutional flow of credit and provide consumption loans. The ministry is negotiating with nationalised banks in this regard.
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