Ninong Ering raises question of ST’s living standard in NorthEast
A Correspondent
ITANAGAR: The Member of Parliament from Arunachal Pradesh East, Ninong Ering raised an un-starred question in Lok Sabha regarding “Living Condition of Scheduled Tribes (ST) in North Eastern States” which was later answered on December 31, 2018.
Ninong Ering questioned that whether the Government has undertaken or proposes to undertake any study to assess the living conditions of the ST in the North-Eastern States of the country.
“If so what are the details and the findings thereof along with the follow up action taken by the Government thereon and what are the steps taken by the Government to further improve the living conditions of St in the NE States,” he questioned?
Meanwhile, Minister for tribal affairs Jasvantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor in his reply said that that the Government has not undertaken/proposes to undertake any study to assess the living conditions of the ST in the North-Eastern States, However living condition of ST across the country including NE States is accessed through decennial Census conducted by Office of Registrar General, India.
He also added that a large scale sample surveys conducted by National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, various surveys conducted by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Agricultural Census conducted by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, etc and there is considerable improvement in the living conditions of the ST across the country including NE States.
He also said that the percentage of STs below poverty line in rural areas has improved from 47.4 % in 2009-10 to 45.3 % in 2011-12, literacy rate for STs has improved from 47.1% in 2001 to 59% in 2011, Infant Mortality Rate has declined from 57.0 (2005-06) to 44.4 (2015-16) and Institutional Delivery improved from 17.7% (2005-06) to 68.0% (2015-16).
However, there are still gaps as compared to figures of total population. Government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy for overall development of tribal people including across the country, including NE States which includes support for education, health, sanitation, water supply, skill development, livelihood, etc.
“Major part of infrastructure development and provision of basic amenities in tribal areas in the country is carried out through various schemes and programmes of concerned Central Ministries and State Governments concerned, while the Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides additive to these initiatives by way of plugging critical gaps” he added.
The minister also highlighted details of various schemes/ programmes being implemented by the Government for the socio-economic development of the ST including NE States in specific.
Few of the schemes/programme being implemented by Ministry of Tribal Affairs are Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS), Grants-in-Aid under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India, Scholarships schemes for ST Students, Scheme of Grant-in-aid to voluntary organizations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes, Vocational Training in Tribal Areas, Scheme of Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts, Support to Tribal Research Institutes Support to Tribal Research is a sub-scheme of Umbrella Programme for Development of Scheduled Tribes, Umbrella Programme for Development of Scheduled Tribes, Institutional support for Development and Marketing of Tribal Products / Produce and mechanism for marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum support Price (MSP) and development of Value Chain for MFP.
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