Institutional Framework for Welfare of Tribes in Tripura

The Department of Welfare for Scheduled Tribes has been the Nodal Department for implementation of various Tribal Development and Welfare Programmes in the State. Over a period, many other institutions and agencies have come into existence to strengthen the efforts of the Tribal Welfare Department and to discharge certain exclusive functions. Apart from the Tribal Welfare Department the other relevant institutions are the TTAADC, Tribal Research Institute, TRP & PGP and ST Corporation.

Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC):-

With a view to fulfill the aspirations of the Tribals to have autonomy to administer themselves, the Tripura Tribals Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) was set up in 1982 under Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. Later, the Council was brought under 6th Schedule of the constitution with effect from 1st April, 1985 to entrust more responsibilities and power to the Council. Further, to decentralize the power to the village level Authorities, Village Development Committee Election had been held in TTAADC areas on 27/02/2006 and 03/03/2006 for 527 villages.

The geographical area of this Autonomous District is 7, 132.56 Sq. km out of the total area of 10,491.69 Sq. Km. of the State. The area included within this Autonomous District covers parts of areas from all of the four Revenue Districts in the State.

The State Government provides funds as grant to the TTAADC against State plan, Share of Taxes and transfer fund of scheme from different Departments for specifies development projects. The Planning and Co-ordination Department of the State Government decides the plan fund to be provided to the District Council in one financial year and such funds are provided in the budget of the Tribal Welfare Department for release to the District Council. Regarding share of Taxes, it may be mentioned that as per provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the District Council has the power to levy and collect certain taxes.

Tribal Research and Cultural Institute (TR&CI):-

The Directorate of Tribal Research was established in 1970 and since then the Organisation has taken up research projects related to many tribal issues. It has been renamed as Tribal Research Institute in 1993. Publication of monographs, booklets, documenting tribal culture & Art, Organisation of training, collection of tribal artifacts, developing of data base related to tribal development have been some of the major activities of TRI.

Tripura Scheduled Tribes Cooperative Development Corporation (TSTCDC):-

In order to take up beneficiary oriented economic programmes suitable to the Tribal families, the Scheduled Tribes Cooperative Development Corporation was set up in the State in 1979. The authorized share capital of the Corporation is Rs.20.00 crores of which paid up capital is Rs.7.43 crores. The implementation of Transport sector, Business sector and Agri Sector and NSTPDC programmes have the main activity of the Corporation

TRP & PVTG:-

The Directorate of TRP & PVTG was established for implementation of Tribal rehabilitation Programmes for Primitive Group Tribes (Reang Tribe) through plantation. Two project reports have been prepared in two phases from 1983 for Rehabilitation of Reang families through land-based activities. A separate Corporation namely, TRPC has been set up for Rehabilitation of Tribals through rubber based settlement schemes. However, TRPC covers the Tribals other then Reangs also.

World Bank Aided Rubber Project, Development Unit (WBARPDU):-

The Development Unit, World Bank Aided Rubber Project, Tripura is a society registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 (Act XXXI of 1860) constituted to oversee the implementation of rubber supported socio-economic activities under the Tribal Development Plan of the World Bank Aided Rubber Project besides inter-alia objectives came into being in the year,1994. Responsibilities of the Development Unit were to coordinate implementation of the objectives of the World Bank Aided Rubber Project, Tripura component and implementation of Women & Tribal Development Plan through NGO.

Under Women & Tribal Development Programme 4009 ST rubber growing families were assisted against the target of 4009 families with financial assistance of Rs.5.61 crores with involvement 11 Nos. of RPS and 130 Nos. of WTG formed to ensure economic sustenance during immaturity period of rubber.

Credit (loan) to the tune of Rs. 9.18 crores had been extended under Alternative Financing Arrangement Scheme of World Bank Aided Rubber Project, Tripura to 4228 rubber growers through 105 Nos. of RPS (Development Unit-89 Nos. and TRPC-16 Nos.) and total area covered 4007.93 Hec. Recovery of loan till date is to the tune of Rs. 5.16 Crores and the overdue is Rs.10.36 Crores.

Tripura Tribal Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TTWREIS):-

With a view to impart quality education to ST boys and girls of the interior tribal villages of Tripura a society called “Tripura Tribal Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TTWREIS)” was established on 02/05/1997 under the administrative control of Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Tripura.

The prime object of the society is to establish, maintain, control and running Eklavya Model Residential School (EMR), Residential School and Ashram School in the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) area of the state where the students of interior tribal villages may get quality education in English medium to prepare them in various entrance / competitive examination staying in the hostels of the schools with free of cost of education and lodging.