Determination of PTG Status & Feasibility of Microproject for the Gadaba Tribe in Selected Pockets Of Odisha

Abstract

The Dhebar Commission (1960-1961) stated that within Scheduled Tribes there existed an inequality in the rate of development. During the Fifth Five Year Plan (FYP) a sub-category was created within Scheduled Tribes to identify groups that are considered to be at a lower level of development. This special category was named "Primitive Tribal Group" (PTGs) which was re-designated as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) by Government of India (GoI) in 2009. In the state of Odisha there are 13 PTGs identified from the 5th Five Year Plan (FYP) onwards. At the beginning of 6th FYP five more tribal communities identified as primitive on the basis of the GoI guidelines, furnished by the Ministry of Home Affairs were Paudi Bhuyan of Bansapal Block, Birhor of Bonai Block, Gadaba of Semiliguda Block, Erenga Kolha of Koira Block and Koya of Podia Block. Apparently due to change of Policy, except the Birhor, other 04 groups in their identified locations were not recognized as PTG by GoI though the State Government recommended their cases to the latter at different points of time. Hence, SCSTRTIwas asked by the State Government to conduct a socio-economic study and submit a report on feasibility of inclusion of Gadaba tribe in the PVTG list of Odisha so that special micro-project can be constituted for their all round development Taking into consideration the prescribed criteria and guidelines laid down by GoI for identification of PVTGs and setting up of Micro Projects, the case of Gadaba community was examined as to whether they qualify for PVTG status and if so, if a Micro Project can be feasibly set up for their all round development.The study covered the Gadaba communities in the areas where they are thickly concentrated and accordingly Gadaba in the Jalahanjar GP and Guneipada GP under Lamtaput Block of Koraput district was covered under the study.Both the GPs that constituted Gadaba area are geographically contiguous and hence stood out to be the fit cases for the study coverage.As per study findings, the Gadabas of the study area fulfill the four criteria prescribed by Government of India to be designated as PVTGviz:stagnant or diminishing population,very low level of literacy, low level of techno-economy and relative physical isolation. Hence, the study recommended that based on the above criteria Gadaba tribe deserve PVTG status and for their all round development a Micro Project needs to be established in the proposed project area, i.e. the study area under Jalahanjar and Guneipada GP of Lamtaput Block of Koraput district to accomplish the task