Over 1.7 lakh pattas distributed among tribals: Centre

Affirming its resolve to empower tribals and promote entrepreneurship among them, the Centre today said more than 1.7 lakh land 'pattas' have been distributed to them under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
"The Centre has distributed 1,70,149 pattas among the tribal people by September, 2016 under the Forest Rights Act, 2006," Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Jasvantsinh Bhabhor said while launching "Vanjeevan", a national resource centre for tribal livelihood issues here.
So far, 12,306 acres of land had been distributed through this measure, he said.
Stating that the Centre was also committed to develop entrepreneurship among tribal people, Bhabhor said that around Rs 1,426 crore had been provided as loans to tribal entrepreneurs through the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC).

Emphasising that the Modi government has taken initiatives to empower the tribals and ensure capacity building among them, he said 4 percent industrial raw materials worth Rs 28,000 crore are to be procured from tribal entrepreneurs in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector through PSUs.
In order to encourage tribal entrepreneurs, Tribal Affairs Ministry is taking steps for providing them linkage with vendors, contractors and suppliers, he said adding that people belonging to scheduled tribes and scheduled castes are also being encouraged by steps for financial inclusion.

While special measures are taken to benefit tribal entrepreneurs through start-up India, Make in India, Digital India and Mudra programme, tribal youth are also being imparted training for skill development through Skill India mission, the Union minister said.

Noting that there are around 700 tribal communities in the country, Bhabhor said the newly launched 'Vanjeevan' national resource centre (NRC) would play a major role in boosting self-employment and entrepreneurship among tribals.
Vanjeevan is a collaborative venture between UNDP and National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) under Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs.