India, March 17 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is implementing the (i) Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) with the primary objective of strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutes (PRIs) by way of capacity building and training of the elected representatives and the functionaries of the PRIs, (ii) Incentivization of Panchayats (IoP), a Central Components of RGSA scheme to encourage competitive spirit among Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) under which, Awards including financial incentives are given to best performing Panchayats in recognition of their good work for improving delivery of services and public good, (iii) Mission Mode Project on e-Panchayats, a Central component of RGSA scheme under which various e-governance projects are funded towards digitalization of Panchayats to bring in efficiency, accountability and transparency in the functioning of the PRIs for overall transformation of PRIs (no funds are released to States under the scheme). These schemes are implemented in all the States/UTs including the State of Gujarat and in its tribal areas.
Special focus on training in tribal areas under the RGSA scheme related to the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) are held in Scheduled Areas. For these trainings, the Ministry has developed seven training modules on seven important themes of PESA with due care that the manual are made available in tribal languages. The subjects of training include (i) Strengthening of Gram Sabha, (ii) Minor Forest Produce, (iii) Minor Minerals, (iv) Customary Mode of Dispute Resolution, (v) Control over Money Lending, (vi) Prohibition & Regulating/Restricting the Sales & Consumption of Intoxicants and (vii) Prevention of Alienation of Land.
The Ministry of Rural Development is implementing a number of Schemes/Programmes viz. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission, Deen Dayal Upadhyay - Gramin Kaushalya Yojana, Rural Self Employment and Training Institutes, Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana - Gramin, Pradhan Mantri Gram SadakYojana, and National Social Assistance Programme through State Governments to bring about overall rural development and improve in the quality of life of the people in rural areas in the country including the tribal areas of Gujarat. Recently, a new Act namely Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rojgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)-VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 has been enacted by the Parliament. The Act is yet to commence. Upon commencement, the provisions of the Act will be applicable to all rural areas across all States and UTs.
As per information provided by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), they are administering the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (In short FRA), wherein Gram Sabha has been entrusted with the responsibility to initiate the process of recognition of rights envisaged to be given to bonafide Forest Dweller Scheduled Tribes (FDSTs) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs), including rights to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community forest resources, which they have been traditionally protecting and conserving for sustainable use.
The details of Schemes/programmes being implemented by the MoTA for the development and welfare of Scheduled Tribes in the country along with brief achievements, are given in Annexure as per the information provided by the MoTA.
Annexure
Details of Schemes/programmes being implemented by the MoTA for the development and welfare of Scheduled Tribes in the country
In FY 2025-26, the Ministry has issued a mother sanction of Rs.50.00 lakh to the TRIs, Gujarat for the approved projects/activities, under the scheme.
This information was given by Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 17th March 2026.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
