Issues on Economic Development of Primitive and Backward Tribals with Suggestions to Improve the Present Ongoing Schemes

Abstract

The Fifth Five Year Plan has begun with the launch of a new approach of tribal development which has drawn up different schemes for different regions and different people, but has not achieved the expected rapid development. The tribal economy is a basically a subsistence economy. To sum up the nature of tribal economy being predominantly dichotomic agriculture & forestry. All of the tribal economic and cultivation issues are highlighted in the Socio-economic profile of PTGs and the disadvantages of successful podu cultivation are discussed at length in the report. The report focuses mainly on the logic of ongoing schemes in the development process, along with some suggestions and recommendations, highlighting some of the obstacles in the implementation of these financial support schemes. The study is mainly concentrated on economic well being of three PTGs viz Konda Savara of Srikakulam & Vizianagaram, Kolams of Adilabad and Chenchus of Srisailam ITDA. The study reveals that it is now very well understood that the forestry cannot be developed and protected on its own unless there is willing cooperation of the poorest of poor tribals who are living there since generations. The tribal economy is also a uni-sectorial economy. To accelerated the economic development of the tribals as well the tribal areas it has to be diversified, besides, the secondary sector in the scheduled areas needs greater attention along with primary sector to bring about sustained growth of the tribal economy. Credit and Marketing are the twin problems that, be set the tribals. The study notice that in majority of the cases it is observed that there is procedural deviation of selection of beneficiary. It is also noticed that there is high incidence of Benami transactions in the transport sector. It is observed that in agricultural sector, only influential people are being considered for tractors and it is also observed in both the ESS and NSTFDC schemes, the recovery of Margin Money and Term loan are very decimal. The study given suggestions viz the choice of beneficiary right from the selection of the schemes. There is also much misappropriation of loan amounts by middle men. This shall be handled with iron hand and will be discouraged. The study recommends that the selection of beneficiary will be done in accordance with the procedure laid down and guide lines issues from time to time. The schemes proposed shall be in accordance of the need of the family and need of the local demand with available necessary infrastructure with requisite knowledge of schemes. The role of middle men in the selection of beneficiary, schemes besides ground the scheme shall be contained forthwith in the interest of the poorest of the poor vulnerable groups.