Over Rs 140 cr released for welfare of Tribal in J&K In last 3 years: GoI
In the last three years, more than Rs .140 Cr funds have been released for the welfare of Tribals in Jammu and Kashmir.
A question was tabled on Lok Sabha on Monday about the funds allocated for the welfare of tribal’s during the last three years, State-wise, especially Santhal Pargana division of Jharkhand; and the details of the expenditure made in this regard, State-wise.
Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Renuka Singh Saruta in Lok Sabha in a written reply said that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing various schemes/programmes for socio-economic development and welfare of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the country.
On Jammu and Kashmir, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Renuka Singh Saruta informed that Rs 45.09 Cr funds were released under the scheme ‘Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Scheme (SCA to TSS)’ during the last two years during the year 2019-20. However, no funds were released during 2020-21.
Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Scheme (SCA to TSS) is part of the Umbrella Scheme for Development of Scheduled Tribes which is now a Core of the Core Scheme.
It supplements the efforts of State Governments for the development and welfare of tribal people by extending Special Central Assistance as an additive to the State Tribal Sub-Plan.
The minister further informed that Rs 54.1 Cr funds were released under ‘Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir during 2019-20. However, no funds were released during 2020-21 and 2021-22
Grants-in-aid under Proviso to Article 275 (1) of the Constitution of India is a 100% annual grant from the Government of India to States. It is charged to the Consolidated Fund of India (except grants for the North Eastern States, a voted item) and is an additive to State Plan funds and efforts for Tribal Development.
It was further informed that during 2019-20 Rs 1587901, during 2020-21 Rs .4639377 and during 2021-22 Rs. 2672910 funds were released to NGOs/VOs, State wise, under the Scheme ‘Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary Organizations Working for Welfare of STs in Jammu and Kashmir.
The minister further informed that Rs 0 funds were released under the scheme ‘Pre-Matric Scholarship’ for tribals during the last three years. For Post-Matric Scholarship, in Jammu and Kashmir Rs .10.48 Cr were released during 2019-20 and Rs 8.05 Cr during 2020-21.
Whereas during 2019-20 Rs. 4.46 Cr, during 2022-21 Rs .4.08 Cr and during 2021-22 Rs .13.62 Cr funds were released in Jammu and Kashmir by ‘The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC)’ under its’ Schemes, the minister informed.
