26 June:The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today gave its approval for continuation of the scheme and implementation of revised guidelines of the scheme and financial norms w.e.f. 1st April, 2008.
The prime objective of the scheme is to enhance the reach of welfare schemes of Government and fill the gaps in service deficient tribal areas, in the sectors such as education, health, drinking water, agro-horticultural productivity, social security net etc. through the efforts of voluntary organizations, and to provide an environment for socio-economic up-liftment and overall development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Organizations eligible for assistance shall be as follows:
(a) Any registered voluntary organization / non-governmental organization engaged in the conduct and promotion of social welfare of STs. The organization should have been registered for at least three years.
(b) Institutions or organizations set up by Government as autonomous bodies either under a statute or as a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
(c) A Public Trust registered under any law for the time being in force. The trust must have been registered for at least three years.
The CCEA also gave its approval for utilization of 2% of the budget of scheme for monitoring and management of the scheme.
The revised scheme will accelerate effective filing of the gaps in services like education, health, drinking water supply etc. in tribal areas. The revised guidelines would also put in place an effective, simple and transparent mechanism of funding to voluntary sector.