SCA to TSP is provided by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to the State Governments as an additive to the State Plan. It is basically meant for family oriented income generating activity in sectors like agriculture, horticulture, minor irrigation, soil conservation, animal husbandry, forest, village and small industries etc.,
The ultimate objective of extending SCA to TSP is to boost the demand based income generating programmes and thus raise the economic and social status of tribal people. Out of total SCA allotment, 60% of the SCA funds are expected to be used for economic development of poor Scheduled Tribes by implementing income-generating schemes with a special focus on the most vulnerable sections amongest the Scheduled Tribes and 30% of the Special Central Assistance funds can be used for infrastructure development in Scheduled Tribe habitations and the remaining 10% can be used for imparting Skill Development Training to the ST Youths.
The part IV (iv) of the Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Plan Guidelines issued by the Government of India envisages 10% of the total allocation of Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Plan as incentive to the States based upon a system of weighted Criteria.
Adoption of the Tribal Sub Plan approach in letter and spirit by ensuring that the entire Tribal Sub Plan funds at least in equal proportion to the population of tribal in the State are placed in one Budget Head under the administrative control of the Tribal Development Department of the State for more integrated and focused planning and implementation of projects / schemes;
Thereafter, at least on an average of 75% of the approved Tribal Sub Plan funds are actually utilized/released to the implementing agencies in the previous three financial years through the budget head of the Tribal Development Department of the State; and
Funds awarded, as incentives to the State, should be utilized only for employment and income generating activities benefiting the tribal.
Based on the above provision of Government of India, the State Government is receiving, incentive amount since 2004-2005.