Question : LIVING STANDARD OF PRIMITIVE TRIBALS

(a) the details of tribes identified and placed in the list of primitive tribal groups, State-wise and Union Territory-wise;

(b) their present standard of living;

(c) whether the Union Government propose to raise the living standard of these people; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/being taken for their upliftment?

MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JUAL ORAM)

(a) A statement showing State/UT-wise list of identified Primitive tribal groups (PTGs) is annexed.

(b) The Primitive Tribal Groups form the lowest rung of the Scheduled Tribe communities. They use pre-agricultural level of technology and didder from each other in respect of socio-economic conditions. Some of them are still food gatherers & hunters, some shifting cultivators and some settled cultivators. A few of them also work as agricultural labourers. The level of literacy amony them is very low.

(c) Yes, Sir.

(d) A Central Sector Scheme for the Development of Primitive Tribal Groups with an outlay of Rs. 22.50 crores for Ninth Five Year Plan has been launched form 1998- 99 for their upliftment. The funds released under the scheme to state Govts and NGOs during last two years are as under:-

1998-99	-	4.94 crores	1999-2000	-	6.63 crores