Efforts on to improve physical infra in tribal areas: Govt

For the welfare of tribals, the government is taking various measures to improve physical infrastructure and address issues in the areas of education, health and livelihood, Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram told the Lok Sabha today.
As part of its relentless efforts for welfare of tribals, the ministry is making attempts to address "critical gaps through limited resources in the areas of education, health and livelihood", he said during Question Hour.
Various measures through ministries and departments concerned of the Centre as well as states and UTs are initiated to improve physical infrastructure like roads and railways in tribal areas including those affected by left wing extremism, he noted.

"The Ministry of Tribal Affairs consults various stakeholders to ensure that benefits of various schemes of the government flow to tribal population and the funds available are spent judiciously and in a holistic manner," Oram said.
Noting that continuous efforts of the government have helped in improving well being of the tribal people, he said a Project Appraisal Committee has been set up under the Tribal Affairs Ministry.
The panel looks into proposal for allocation of funds under various schemes of the Ministry.

Recently, Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana (VKY) -- that focuses on overall development of tribal people and aims to converge available resources under various central and states schemes -- was launched, the Minister said.

With regard to welfare schemes for tribals, Oram said fresh funds are released to implementing agencies only after getting utilisation certificates of money provided in previous years.
"The unspent balance, if any, is taken into account for further releases to the implementing agencies," he said.