Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India guarantees grants-in-aid from the Consolidated Fund of India each year for promoting the welfare of Scheduled Tribes. Infrastructure development schemes like protected drinking water, road connectivity, electricity and housing are provided under this scheme.
Since 1998-99, it has been decided to utilize a part of the funds under Article 275(1) of the Constitution for setting up of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) for Tribal students. The objective of setting up of EMRS is to provide quality education to tribal students. So far, seven EMRSs are functioning in Tamil Nadu. One at Vellimalai in Villupuram, Salem, Nilgiris, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Namakkal and Kanchipuram District.
This fund is also utilized for implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. Under this Act, provision has been given to issue titles to the Tribals those who are residing in the forest before 13.12.2005. Other than Tribals, the State Government have to recognize the forest rights of the traditional forest dwellers, who have been residing in and who depend on the forest or forest land for 3 generations i.e. for 75 years prior to 13.12.2005.
In order to implement this Act, the State Government have constituted the following Committees:
Till date, 4641 IR & 239 CR claims have been processed and distributed title deeds to the claimants. The recommended title deeds are issued, after the vacation of stay as ordered by the Madras High Court in W.P. No. 4533/2008. Other claims are being processed in the Districts.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides Central Assistance to States under Article 275(1) of Constitution of India for promoting the welfare of Scheduled Tribes or for raising the level of administration in the Scheduled Areas. 10% of the allocation provided under Article 275(1) is set aside as incentive for good performance or for supporting innovative schemes relating to the development and welfare of Scheduled Tribes in the country.
The Government of India have suggested few examples of schemes such as setting up of medical units, awareness camps for children on preventive health, introduction of latest technology in promoting agricultural activities, setting up of sign boards depicting the correct barter rates for common products since the barter system is still in vogue among Scheduled Tribes and better communication system for the promotion of development programmes for Scheduled Tribes are under innovative projects.