"Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojna (VKY) has been launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs during 2014-15 for holistic development of tribal people and Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for the scheme during the year 2014-14," Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava told Lok Sabha in a written reply.
He said his ministry supplements efforts of other central ministries and state governments by implementing schemes for uplift of Scheduled Tribes in the country including Northeastern states.
Some of the schemes include hostels for ST girls and boys, scheme for establishment of ashram school in Tribal Sub Plan areas, post matric scholorships and others.
As per census 2011, 94.4 per cent of the total population in Mizoram comprises Scheduled Tribes while in Meghalaya and Nagaland, 86.1 per cent and 86.5 per cent of the total population respectively are STs.
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As per figures, a total of Rs 2449.63 lakhs has been released in various states under the scheme of hostels for ST boys and girls in 2014-15 (as on 23.7.2014).
He said Rs 25525.26 lakhs has been released in 2014-15 under SCA to TSP.
Replying to another question, he said the government has no proposal to establish National Tribal Museum in the country.
The central sector scheme Grant In Aid to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) implemented by Tribal Affairs ministry focuses on promoting tribal culture, customs and art. Under the scheme, financial support is provided to TRIs for documentation and preservation of tribal heritage, organising tribal exhibitions, dance-painting sports events and others.