Special scheme for MP's primitive tribals

Bhopal, Mar 28 (UNI) A special scheme has been chalked out for the protection and development of primitive tribes belonging to Saharia, Baiga and Bharia communities in Madhya Pradesh with the Government of India providing Rs 10 crore for the scheme.

The action plan in six sectors- education, health and nutrition, drinking water, agriculture and irrigation, housing and development- has been approved by the state cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at its meeting here yesterday.

Funds have been provided in proportion to the population with Saharias getting 65 percent, Baigas 29 percent and Bharia 5 percent, while one percent has been set aside for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the scheme at the headquarters level, official sources said.

In the education sector, mothers of non-school going girls would be paid Rs 100 per month upto fifth class and Rs 200 per month upto eighth class to motivate them to educate girls.

A survey revealed that parents do not send girls to school as they help them in household works and take care of siblings. The National Tribal Commission also recommendation payment of compensation to parents of such girls.

Additional contractor teacher would be provided for teaching in local dialects. Nursery female techers would be deployed in Aanganwadi centres to impart pre-school education in local dialect to children in 3 to six year age group.

Under health and nutrition programme, wheat flour fortified with micronutrients would be distributed in primitive tribal areas.

Initially, fortified flour would be supplied in hostels.

A mobile health unit costing Rs 20 lakh would be provided in Shivpuri district for control of diseases in predominantly Saharia tribal areas.

Assistance of upto Rs 5,000 would be provided to each Saharia family for repair of roof tiles during rainy season.

Incentive upto Rs 10,000 would be given to each of 20 Sanskritik Mandals in Saharia area, 30 Mandals in Baiga areas and 6 Mandals in Bharia areas. Funds would be provided for documentation of indigenous and traditional knowledge and skills, besides information on medicinal plants and herbs.

Saharia museum at Sheopur would be renovated and upgraded, while steps would be constructed and repaired in Patalkot area in Chhindwara district.

The primitive tribals would be imparted training in driving, security guard, tailoring and lac production.

The blocks where the scheme would be implemented include Sheopur, Karahal, Vijaypur, Ambah, Jaora, Kailaras, Morena, Pahadgarh, Porsa, Badwas, Aron, Bamhori, Chachoda, Guna, Raghogarh, Datia, Sewada (Saharia tribes), Tamia (Bharia tribe) and Bijadandi, Bichhia, Nainpur, Ghughari, Bajag , Beohari, Budhar, Jaithari, Karkeli and Manpur (Baigas).

UNI SP 1142