Center releases 3.1 crore to Nagaland for tribal welfare scheme

EMN
Dimapur, December 19

The government of India has released Rs. 310.65 lakh for use under the tribal welfare scheme, the Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana, to the state of Nagaland for the year 205-2016. The scheme is not related to providing employment to beneficiaries.
The Minister of State, Social Justice & Empowerment, Vijay Sampla, offered the updates in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha here on Thursday, December 17.During the financial year 2014-15, a number of schemes for housing, health, education and skill development of people belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) were served by the government. The schemes are the Venture Capital Funds Scheme for Scheduled Castes, Credit Enhancement Guarantee Fund for Scheduled Castes, National Fellowship for OBCs, Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loan for Overseas Studies for OBCs, and the Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana for Scheduled Tribes.
Because said schemes are not related to providing employment, the data regarding the number of persons becoming eligible for employment has yet to be maintained, the ministry said in the press release.

Funds Released in Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana during 2015-2016 (as on 14.12.2015)

(Rs. in lakh)

For the schemes of Venture Capital Fund and Credit Enhancement Guarantee Fund for Scheduled Castes, the IFCI is the nodal agency. For the Scheme of Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loan for Overseas Studies for OBCs, Canara Bank is the nodal bank, the minister said.
“In these three schemes, the money is provided directly to the Nodal agencies and state-wise allocation is not made. The nodal agencies provide money directly to the beneficiaries,” Vijay Sampla said.
The Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana was launched by the central government of India as a platform for ‘holistic development and welfare’ of the tribal population in India. The scheme as outlined by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs was launched on a pilot basis
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched the scheme in July 2014 and Rs. 100 crore was allocated for the scheme during the year 2014-15. The ministry has also started several other schemes which include hostels for ST girls and boys, scheme for establishment of ashram school in Tribal Sub Plan areas, post-matric scholarships and others.
The scheme proposes to bring tribal population of the country at par with other social groups and include them in overall progress of the nation. It seeks to erect sound institutional mechanisms which will help all the benefits of all central and state schemes to reach the target populations by convergence of resources.
The government aims for holistic development of the tribal by plugging in the infrastructural gaps and lags in human development indices. The initial phase will target blocks having at least 33% tribal population.
Proposed Strategies in the scheme
The first strategy which the VKY seeks to employ is to strengthen the institutions and mechanisms already in place. This will be done by addressing all the bottlenecks and issues at the administrative, technical and financial level. These institutions include tribal welfare departments as the top department, ITDA Integrated Tribal Development Agency, ITDP Integrated Tribal Development Projects etc.
Also, the government has proposed to set up new institutions as time calls for. Another primary focus of the scheme is to bring all the resources and activities which are centered on tribal welfare. Such convergence will add more synergy and help speed up the progress of such areas.
Steps being taken
• Sustainable development by generating quality means of livelihood
• Ensuring quality education for all gender responsiveness
• Ensuring good health and healthcare facilities
• Provision for safe drinking water
• Road connectivity Irrigation facilities as matched with the terrain
• Urbanization
• Electricity supply
• Conservation of tribal cultures, languages and heritages
• Development of sports