Tribal India : the challenges ahead .

The population of Scheduled Tribes is about 7 crores which is more than & per cent of the total population of the country. About 85 per cent of the total tribal population is living in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharastra, Orissa, Rajasthan and West Bengal. Almost 600 percent of the tribal people living in the rural areas are below the povets lise The literacy rate among tribals is only 236 per cent which is about half of the national literacy rate and there are large number of districts where the female literacy among tribals is less than 2 per cent The situation with regard to the share of scheduled tribes in the central government services, bucks and Public Sector Enterprises is precarions. It is less than 3 per cent in grip A, and serviens against the stipulated share of 75 per cent. The chambersome and time consuming procedures, the eligibility criteria with regard to qualifications and experience have been such that a large number of posts even in group "C and D categories have remained unfilled.

The constitutional provisions meant for the administration of tribal areas deserve to be re examined. Although as per the Sixth Schedule the constitution, the Autonomous Tribal Councils were provided with the administrative and legal powers, in the absense of adequate funds and lack of governmental support such councils have not been able to take up developmental activities effectively at the desired scale. Further, the tribal areas covered by the provisions of 3th Schedule of the constitution do not enjoy even the limited autonomy conferred to the 6th schedule areas. Therefore, a strongly felt view is that the 5th schedule areas should alsis enjoy autonomy with adequate financial resources. For providing sufficicnt funds, it would be essential to have the funding pattern similar to that for the Panchayati Raj Institutions stipulated in the 73rd amendment of the constitution. In other words, the legal and administrative setup in the 5th schedule areas ought to be at par with the Sixth Schedule areas and the decentralisation of planning and development be undertaken as provided for the Panchayati Raj Institutions to ensure sufficient funds at the disposal of local level tribal councils

The other important issues bothering the tribals in general include the problems of displacement due to large irrigation, power and industrial projects, resource alienation, environment and forest related problems, health and malnutrition, senility of the tribal sub-plan (TSP) approach and potential threat to the tribal identity and culture. These issues can not be allowed to be ignored any more and would need to be attended to at the highest level.

As a prelude to this conference, the Parishad had organised a workshop on Tribal Development Intentions, realities, challenges and tasks ahead" during 22-23rd August, 1993 at New Delhi. The workshop inaugurated by Shri Sitaram Kesari, Hon'ble Minister of Welfare was attended by eminent anthropologists, social-workers, administrators, educationists and tribal leaders. The conclusions of the workshop which are contained in this sourvenir will form a basis for the deliberations during the Conference.

It is a matter of great pride and honour to us that the Hon'ble Prime Minister. Shri P.V. Narsimha Rao has consented to inaugurate the conference which not only speaks of his concern about tribal interests but gives us immense confidence to bringout the critical issues with all the force at our command.

The consensus arrived at the conference on various issues would be presented to the Government of India for evolving an elaborate National Policy for Tribals. This Souvenir is our humble effort to project the tribal life and some of the critical issues relating to the tribals. I am sure, the contents of the Souvenir would be of great interest and utility to the readers.