NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED TRIBES
- In addition to the Office of the Commissioner for Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribes created in 1950 for effective implementation of various safeguards provided in the Constitution for the SCS & STs, a multi-member Commission for SCs and STs was set up in 1978.
- In 1992 these two organizations were replaced by a statutory multi-member National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
- A separate National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was set up with effect from 19th February, 2004 by amending Article 338 and inserting a new Article 338A in the Constitution, through the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003.
TRIBAL SUB PLAN FOR STATES
- The present Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) strategy was initially developed by an Expert Committee set up by the Ministry of Education and Social Welfare in 1972 under the Chairmanship of S.C. Dube for the rapid socio-economic development of tribal people and was adopted for the first time in the 5th Five Year Plan.
- The TSP strategy, with some modifications, continues till this day and the salient features with respect to TSP for States, are given below:
- The funds provided under the Tribal Sub Plan of the State have to be at least equal in proportion to the ST population of each State or UT;
- Tribals and tribal areas of a State or UT are given benefits under the TSP.
NATIONAL SCHEDULED TRIBES FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
- National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Financial Development Corporation was bifurcated and National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) was set up in April, 2001 under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
- The NSTFDC has been granted license under Section 25 of the Companies Act.
- In order to achieve the mandate set for the NSTFDC, (for undertaking self- employment ventures / activities) financial assistance is extended by NSTFDC to the Scheduled Tribes, who are having annual family income upto double the poverty line.
- NSTFDC also provides financial assistance as grant for skill and entrepreneurial development of the target group.
SPECIAL SCHEMES
- Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY): It is an exclusive scheme for the economic development of ST women, at a highly concessional rate of interest. Under the scheme NSTFDC provides Term Loan for scheme costing upto Rs.50,000/-.
- Micro-credit scheme-launch of a new scheme: It is meant to provide financial assistance for undertaking small self-employment ventures/ activities by the eligible STs through existing profit making SHGs.