Serve tribals at doorstep, Kyndiah urges financial inst

New Delhi, Dec 17 (UNI) Minister for Tribal Affairs, P R Kyndiah has called for strengthening the lending system for tribals, to increase the pace of developmental activities in their areas.

Addressing at the conference of States' Tribal Development Departments and channelising agencies of National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) here today, Mr Kyndiah expressed concern over the huge gap in the living conditions of the people in tribal ares in contrast with the urban.

He said that in urban areas, people are being 'chased' by the financial institutions extending loans for various purposes irrespective of the need of a person while in tribal areas, the situation is diametrically opposite. ''Here people are not getting assistance from financial institutions even for their survival,'' he noted.

In this situation, it is the duty of government agencies like National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) to strengthen its network for providing loans to the Scheduled Tribe people for their livelihood and development activities, he said.

Underlining the importance of skill development and capacity building, Mr Kyndiah said financial institutions should not only provide loan through a single window process but also provide training to develop new skills, so that tribals and can utilise the money and improve their traditional craft to become a small entrepreneur in his own world.

Referring 'Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana' of NSTFDC for providing concessional financial assistance for tribal women to enable them to undertake income generating activities, the Minister asked NSTFDC to expand the reach of the scheme.

He also urged the State run financial institutes to consider self-help groups of tribal community as there is a tendency in tribals to work in activities as part of a clan or whole community, rather than as an individual.

Mr Kyndiah said that marketing support for our tribal farmers is another area which could be explored for providing financial support. Plantation like coffee and tea and horticulture would go a long way to help us reach the unreached tribals, he stressed.

The meeting was convened by the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) at the initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, to address issues related to its financial assistance programme for the benefit of tribals groups which include expansion of the coverage of the programme and making delivery system more effective.

During the conference, issues like identifying more income generating activities for term loan to tribals, bridging the gap in loan and funding requirements of tribal projects and financial assistance for tribal self-help groups, assistance for skill development and entrepreneurial training were discussed.

UNI