Source: Press Information Bureau
It is a plan or strategy which was introduced by the government to ensure the socio-economic development of the Tribal people of India. It is a part of the annual plan of a state or UT ( Union Territory). The funds that are given under Tribal Sub Plan are in proportion with the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population in the region.
Aim
The Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) aims to bridge the gap between the Schedule Tribes (STs) and the general population with respect to all socio-economic development indicators in a time-bound manner
Objectives
- To reduce poverty and unemployment of the Tribal.
- To eradicate the exploitation and develop the remote areas.
- To improve the life there by providing adequate health and educational services.
- To provide physical and financial security against any kind of oppression and exploitation
Key features
- The Tribal Sub Plan was proposed on the basis that no development is possible without the elimination of exploitation in any field.
- There are 30 Central Ministries / Departments, and 23 States and 4 UT, having specific fund allocation obligation for Tribal Sub Plan (TSP).
- State Governments are supposed to earmark TSP funds in proportion to ST population (Census 2011) in the State with respect to total State Plan.
- TSP is not applicable to states where tribals represent more than 60% of the population.
- Central Ministries and Departments are obligated for earmarking of TSP funds as per percentage prescribed by Ministry of Finance.
- Tribal Sub Plan funds are to be non-divertible and non-lapsable.
- Monitoring of TSP: Ministry of Tribal Affairs(MoTA) has been mandated for monitoring of Central TSP as per the framework and mechanism designed by NITI Aayog
Public accounts committee report on TSP
- The Public Accounts Committee (Chair: Mr. Mallikarjun Kharge) submitted its report on ‘Tribal Sub-Plan’ on December 18, 2017.
- The Committee looked at the implementation of TSP in three ministries: (i) Human Resource Development; (ii) Health and Family Welfare; and (iii) Ayush.
- The Committee noted several discrepancies in the implementation of the TSP, including: (i) non-adoption of specific norms for release of funds, (ii) weak programme management, (iii) deficient monitoring system, (iv) and non-implementation of information programmes
