Union Government is implementing various schemes through sectoral Ministries wherein dedicated funds are earmarked as Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) for tribal welfare and development across the country that includes Aspirational Districts identified by NITI Aayog, having significant tribal population. As reflected in the Statement 10 B of Union Budget 2023-24, an amount of Rs. 119509.87 crore has been allocated as STC funds. Besides, NITI Aayog through delta rankings has devised special monitoring mechanism for recognition of best efforts of district administration under the Aspirational districts program.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing a scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Aadi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY)’ under which 36428 villages having 50% tribal population and 500 Scheduled Tribes (STs) have been identified for providing basic infrastructure facilities in these villages, which includes villages in the Aspirational Districts identified by NITI Aayog. Out of total Aspirational Districts, 86 Districts are common wherein 10509 villages are covered under PMAAGY.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs is the nodal Ministry for Notification of a community as Scheduled Tribe under Article 342 of the Constitution. However, the responsibility of issuance and verification of Scheduled Tribe certificate / social status rests with the concerned State Government / UT Administration. In the case of Kumari Madhuri Patil vs Addl .Commissioner, Tribal Development & Others, Hon’ble Supreme Court has laid down detailed guidelines which are required to be followed by the concerned State Government/UT Administration to streamline the procedure for issuance, scrutiny and approval of the Caste Certificates. It also provided for formation of scrutiny committee for verification of caste certificate. The Government has issued advisories to State Governments/ UT Administrations from time to time regarding issuance of ST certificate with proper verification, ensuring that deserving ST persons are issued certificates without undue delays and difficulties.

Minister of State gave the reply for Tribal Affairs Smt. Renuka Singh Saruta in Rajya Sabha today.

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