The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has identified the Development of Tribal villages as the Priority Agenda item for the year 2004-2005. Of the total number of 2690 forest villages reported by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, only 167 villages have so far been converted into revenue villages and get the benefits of all development schemes.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs has requested all the State Governments to take immediate action to confer ownership rights in respect of minor forest produce (MFP), including tendu patta. This can be done by defining minor forest produce under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA). PESA provides for the ownership of Minor Forest Produce to the Gram Sabha. The Ministry has asked the states to define the Minor Forest Produce in such a way that it includes “all” the traditional produce of the tribals.
The promise of conferring the rights of the minor forest produce has been given in the National Common Minimum Programme.
State Governments have also been requested to prepare comprehensive land based plans for overall development of the Scheduled Tribes by taking up the developmental activities including minor irrigation on lands owned by the tribal people.
An amount of Rs. 450 crores for the Xth Plan period has been asked from the Planning Commission for the development of nearly 3000 forest villages.
The Ministry has also decided to provide the Primitive Tribal groups with the benefits of insurance coverage under ‘Janshree’ scheme of Life Insurance Corporation of India in a phased manner. The Primitive Tribal groups live in the most backward of areas and do not have access to most social security schemes. For the year 2004-05, it has been decided to extend insurance coverage to one lakh families in 16 States for a period of five years. The Ministry has earmarked Rs. 5 crore for the purpose during the current financial year. The coverage of entire Primitive Tribal Group population is targeted within the remaining three years of the Tenth Five Year Plan.
(Release ID :4752)