SRINAGAR: The Government of India has allocated substantial resources for the development of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Jammu and Kashmir over the last five years, implementing a range of schemes to improve infrastructure, education, and healthcare in tribal-dominated areas. In response to a question raised in the Lok Sabha, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs detailed its efforts, including funding, scheme implementation, and infrastructural achievements.
Under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST), the government has disbursed over Rs 3,349 crore to Jammu and Kashmir between 2019 and 2024. This fund allocation has steadily increased, from Rs 617.04 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 1,106.11 crore in 2023-24. DAPST, implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in coordination with 41 other ministries, targets various sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture, roads, housing, and skill development.
Several flagship schemes are being implemented in the region to support the socio-economic upliftment of tribal communities:
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): Providing quality education to ST students in remote areas.
Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships: Aiding ST students financially at various educational levels.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Jatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM): Addressing tribal welfare through targeted interventions.
National Fellowship and Overseas Scholarships for ST Candidates: Supporting higher education aspirations among ST youth.
DhartiAabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan: Promoting rural development in tribal areas.
These demand-driven programmes are tailored based on proposals from state governments and focus on addressing the specific needs of tribal populations.
The Ministry of Rural Development, under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), has significantly enhanced rural connectivity in tribal regions. Since the programme’s inception, 3,214 roads spanning 19,324.72 km and 217 bridges have been constructed in Jammu and Kashmir. These projects, worth Rs 12,610 crore, have transformed access in previously underserved tribal areas.
As of March 31, 2023, tribal areas in Jammu and Kashmir host 198 sub-centres, 65 primary health centres (PHCs), and three community health centres (CHCs). These facilities aim to improve healthcare accessibility and outcomes for the tribal population.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has underscored the importance of continuous monitoring and targeted implementation to ensure the efficacy of these schemes. Mechanisms such as the Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) and Performance Review Committees are helping track progress, while initiatives like the Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribes encourage entrepreneurship within tribal communities.
