Study finds under-performance of financial resources under Tribal Sub-Plan

NEW DELHI: A recent study to examine the impact of implementation of Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) by state governments indicates under-performance of financial resources, the Lok Sabha was told today.

In his reply, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava said the Planning Commission has recently conducted evaluation study to examine the impact of implementation of TSP by the state governments through the state level agencies including Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) and Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDPs).

The evaluation study was carried out in 14 states and two districts were selected and from each district, one ITDP/ITDA was selected for undertaking the evaluation, he added.

"The Study Report indicates underperformance of financial resources under TSP, as there still exists visible gap in literacy and other human development indices between Scheduled Tribes and other social groups," he said.

Vasava also stated that it has been observed from the study results and inputs received from the state governments during consultation meetings that the institutions, which were especially created to deliver public goods and services to Scheduled Tribes namely ITDAs/ITDPs, have weakened over the period of time thereby affecting the desired outcome adversely.