Kerala Celebrates 50 Years of Scheduled Tribes Development Department

Rapid Summary

• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized the Kerala government’s support for tribal populations during the golden jubilee inauguration of the Scheduled Tribes Development department.
• The department was established on July 1, 1975, specifically for tribal welfare, and many initiatives have been implemented as its formation.
• Kerala’s tribal communities comprise 1.45% of its population; 2.83% of the state’s annual budget outlay is allocated to their welfare.
• Nationally, tribes form 8.06% of India’s population, and the Union government allocates 3.08% for their development.
• As 2016-17, ₹5,752 crore has been allocated for Scheduled Tribe projects in Kerala; ₹4,733 crore has been utilized so far.
• This year’s state budget earmarks ₹697 crore for tribal welfare projects focusing on education support (like reducing dropouts) and land distribution schemes:

– Over nine years,Kerala distributed a total of 8,680 acres to landless ST families across 9,162 families.
– Improvements planned include enhancing model residential schools and hostels (pre-and-post matric levels).

• He highlighted discrimination-free living conditions in Kerala compared to other states while acknowledging global challenges faced by indigenous peoples amid technological advancements like AI misuse threatening resources and identity.
• International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples accompanied the celebration with ‘Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights’ as this year’s theme.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The government’s emphasis on tribal welfare highlights sustained efforts toward inclusivity consistent with long-term policy objectives aimed at improving social equity among marginalized groups in Kerala. proactive measures such as land distributions paired alongside funding disbursement metrics reaffirm longitudinal reforms targeted over previous cycles.

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