Tribal Empowerment

NEWS: Government has taken up several measures for promotion of tribal languages, development of bilingual primers for preservation of tribal languages and promote tribal literature

• The Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North-Eastern Region in Rajya Sabha has pointed out various schemes and programmes that are introduced by the government with an aim of protecting, preserving, and promoting the country’s tribal cultural heritage.
• Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs): The GoI has established seven ZCCs which are responsible for organising a wide range of cultural activities and programs across the nation on a regular basis. 
• Regional Festivals: Under the Ministry of Culture, several Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavas and a minimum of 42 regional festivals are organised through the ZCCs every year.
• Promotion of Tribal Languages: The government also provides grants to State Tribal Research Institutes for the promotion of tribal languages.
• Tribal Research Information, Education, Communication and Events (TRU-ECE) Scheme: Under this, financial assistance is provided to reputed Institutions for TRU-ECE scheme with the aim to promote tribal culture, artifacts, customs and traditions of tribal communities.
• Eklavya Model & Museums: Under the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, resolved to establish nearly 750 EMRS to support the education of tribal students.
• Sanctioned 10 tribal freedom fighter museums in order to acknowledge the heroic and patriotic deeds of tribal people.
• Adivasi Grants Management System (ADIGRAMS): It monitors the physical and financial progress of the grants given by the Ministry to States and can track the actual utilisation of funds.
• Janjatiya Gaurav Divas: In 2021, it was decided to celebrate 15th November of every year as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to mark the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda.

What are Other Related Government Initiatives?

• TRIFED
• Digital Transformation of Tribal Schools
• Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups
• Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

What are the Constitutional Provisions Related to Scheduled Tribes?

• The Constitution of India does not endeavor to define the term ‘tribe’, however, the term Scheduled Tribe’ was inserted in the Constitution through Article 342 (i).
• The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the setting up a Tribes’ Advisory Council in each of the States having Scheduled Areas.

Educational & Cultural Safeguards:

• Article 15(4): Special provisions for the advancement of other backward classes (it includes STs).
• Article 29: Protection of the Interests of Minorities (it includes STs).
• Article 46: The State shall promote, with special care, the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and in particular, of the Scheduled Castes, and the Scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.
• Article 350: Right to conserve a distinct Language, Script or Culture.

Political Safeguards:

• Article 330: Reservation of seats for STs in the Lok Sabha,
• Article 332: Reservation of seats for STs in State Legislatures.
• Article 243: Reservation of seats in Panchayats.

 Administrative Safeguard:

• Article 275: It provides for the grant of special funds by the Union Government to the State Government for promoting the welfare of Scheduled Tribes and providing them with a better administration.

Practice Questions for Prelims

Which of the following states is not included in the sixth schedule of Indian Constitution?
a) Meghalaya
b) Tripura
c) Mizoram
d) Manipur

Ans. d)

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