Tribal development in India : programmes and perspectives.

Tribals in India, as elsewhere in the world, are known for their unique ways of living and distinct culture, which pro vide them a distinct identity on the national scene. However, their peculiar lifestyle, crude and primitive technolo gies, and their tendency to inhabit the secluded and isolated areas have led them to economic misery, underdevel opment and seclusion from the main stream of national life. Therefore, after Independence (particularly after the pro mulgation of the Constitution of India in 1950) special policy initiatives were taken towards the improvement of their socio-economic conditions of these com munities, termed as Scheduled Tribes. This followed the adoption of various strategies and programmes for their all round development during the Five Year Plans. Though none can deny that de velopment has taken place in tribal areas, when we analyse the expendi ture incurred during these plan years vis-a-vis the change brought into the quality of socio-economic life of the tribals, the results are not very encour aging. The book deals with all these issues.

The study also analyses in detail the programme (sectorwise) outlays and ex penditure since Independence with spe cial reference to the scheduled tribes of U.P. It indicates toward serious lacuna in planning, implementation and utilisation of available resources for trib al development. The main purpose of this study was to provide data base for future researchers. It is expected that it will provide useful insights to the tribal development planners and administra tors as well as academicians associated with this field.