IndiaCSR News Network
NEW DELHI: The main aim of the scheme of vocation training in tribal areas is to develop the skills of the ST youth for a variety of jobs as well as self-employment and to improve their socio-economic condition by enhancing their income. The scheme covers all the States and UTs and 100% grants are provided to States, UTs and other associations implementing the scheme. Free vocational training facilities are extended to ST youth.
In addition, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs under its Special Area Programme of Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Plan (SCA to TSP) and other Central Sector or Centrally Sponsored schemes provides funds as an additive to the State Plan for economic development of tribals in the States covering skill development and employment-cum-income generation activities.
During the current financial year, the Ministry has impressed upon the State Governments for promotion of need based integrated livelihood initiatives and skill upgradation of tribals to get them respectable jobs such as, diversified crops, horticulture, dairy development with State cooperative, backyard poultry, fisheries, apiculture, sericulture etc.with proper market linkages, financing under line department schemes like milk cooperatives, marketable traditional skills like paintings, handlooms, handicrafts, artisans, skilled employment and other arts & crafts, entrepreneurship, modern skills: solar cell assembly and electrician, mobile phone repair etc. with appropriate placements, eco tourism in Tribal areas, skills for women: Computer training hospitality, paramedics, ayurvedic and tribal medicines & medical practices etc. It is advocated to expend 50% of the allocated funds to the State Governments for female beneficiaries.
In addition, National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, promotes entrepreneurial development amongst Scheduled Tribes. This Corporation provides concessional financial assistance to individuals or groups of STs for undertaking self-employment income generation activities through its channelizing agencies. Further, Tribal Co -Operative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) imparts skill development and capacity building training to tribal Minor Forest Produce (MFP) gatherers and tribal artisans.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing the following scholarship schemes for the professional education of Scheduled Tribe students and facilitating them to get employed:
The Post Matric Scholarship Scheme: This scheme is open to all ST students and is given to enable them to pursue higher studies at Post Matriculation level including technical and professional studies. This Scheme covers all ST students whose parents annual income is below Rs. 2,50,000/-. Compulsory fees charged by the educational institutions are reimbursed and scholarship amount of Rs. 230 per month to Rs. 1200 per month are given depending on the courses of study.
Upgradation of Merit: Through this scheme, remedial and special coaching is provided to ST students in Classes IX to XII. Special coaching is also provided to ST students with a view to prepare them for competitive examinations for seeking entry into professional courses like engineering, medicines etc.
National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for higher studies abroad: This scheme provides financial assistance to selected students to pursue Post Graduation, PhD and Post Doctoral study abroad. There are 17 awards for scheduled tribe students and 3 awards for students belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. The selected students are given tuition and other educational fees charged by the foreign universities, maintenance and other grants along with travel expenses. This fellowship is given to the students whose total annual income along with the income of the parents doesn’t exceed Rs. 6 Lacs.
Scheme of Top Class Education for ST students: This scholarship is given to ST students for pursuing studies at degree at Post Graduate level in any of the 213 identified institutions of excellence such as IITs, NIITs, IIMs etc. scholarships are given every year to meritorious students whose family income doesn’t exceed Rs. 4.5 Lacs per year. Scholarship amount includes tuition fees, living expenses and allowances for books and computer etc.
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava in a written reply in Lok Sabha recently
