Scheduled Tribes

The allocations under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) has increased by around 20 percent from Rs. 32,508 crore in 2017-18 (RE) to Rs. 39,135 crore in 2018-19 (BE). The budget for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has increased from Rs. 5,329 crore in 2017-18 (RE) to Rs. 6,000 crore in 2018-19 (BE), an increase of 13 percent.
No revised framework for earmarking under TSP has been formulated and ministries continue to report under TSP from scheme allocations. This fails to ensure need-based planning and budgeting for the Scheduled Tribes, and what gets reported in TSP is largely incidental benefits accruing from general schemes.
The Finance Minister in his Budget Speech announced that by the year 2022 every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons, will have an Ekalavya Model Residential School. These schools will be at par with Navodaya Vidyalayas and will have special facilities for preserving local art and culture besides providing training in sports and skill development.