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Study to find causes of fall in tribal numbers
To undertake welfare measures for some of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PTG), a Parliamentary Committee asked the Tribal Affairs Ministry to carry out a study to find out reasons behind their declining population.
New Delhi: To undertake welfare measures for
some of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PTG), a
Parliamentary Committee on Tuesday asked the Tribal Affairs
Ministry to carry out a study to find out reasons behind their
declining population.
"One of the reasons for identifying tribal groups as PTG
is to arrest the decline or stagnation in their population.
The Committee strongly views that the Ministry should find out
the real causes of their decline," the panel, chaired by
Congress MP Biren Singh Engti, said in its report.
Having noted that the Ministry has not conducted any study in this regard, the Committee strongly recommends that a study should be undertaken or sponsored to find out causes of decline or stagnation in their population, it said.
Expressing surprise over lack of Central government funded schools for PTG in tribal areas, the Committee urged Tribal Affairs Ministry to encourage all states governments to build residential schools for PTG on priority.
On lack of hospitals in tribal areas, the panel recommended, "The Ministry should encourage all states having PTGs to construct hospitals and clinics for them with help of Central funds so that they need not travel long distances to avail health facilities." The Ministry was advised to ensure that the states do not divert the funds meant for development of PTGs for financing other schemes.
Asking it to be careful while releasing funds to NGOs, the report said, "The Ministry should have some foolproof mechanism by which genuineness and actual motive of every NGO can be thoroughly verified before release of funds." On shortage of staff in the Ministry to monitor the programs initiated for welfare of PTGs, the report said, "A separate section with adequate number of officers and staff may be set up in the Ministry to deal with matters relating to PTGs."
The report also said the evaluation of PTG scheme was assigned to Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) for realistic assessment and timely financial allocation.
PTI
Having noted that the Ministry has not conducted any study in this regard, the Committee strongly recommends that a study should be undertaken or sponsored to find out causes of decline or stagnation in their population, it said.
Expressing surprise over lack of Central government funded schools for PTG in tribal areas, the Committee urged Tribal Affairs Ministry to encourage all states governments to build residential schools for PTG on priority.
On lack of hospitals in tribal areas, the panel recommended, "The Ministry should encourage all states having PTGs to construct hospitals and clinics for them with help of Central funds so that they need not travel long distances to avail health facilities." The Ministry was advised to ensure that the states do not divert the funds meant for development of PTGs for financing other schemes.
Asking it to be careful while releasing funds to NGOs, the report said, "The Ministry should have some foolproof mechanism by which genuineness and actual motive of every NGO can be thoroughly verified before release of funds." On shortage of staff in the Ministry to monitor the programs initiated for welfare of PTGs, the report said, "A separate section with adequate number of officers and staff may be set up in the Ministry to deal with matters relating to PTGs."
The report also said the evaluation of PTG scheme was assigned to Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) for realistic assessment and timely financial allocation.
PTI