Tribal Minister Jual Oram said on Thursday that his Ministry has recognised 14 NGOs as Established Voluntary Agencies out of more than 200 NGOs. The Minister said guidelines are being revised with focus on outcome. A revised sanctioning procedure is also being envisaged for grants in aid to them.
Commenting on implementation of Forest Rights Act, he said total individual claims and community claims filed were 6.2 lakhs and 0.30 lakhs. Out of this 2.57 lakhs individual titles and 0.18 lakhs community titled were distributed. The titles distributed covered an area of 34.2 lakh acres. Further efforts are on for better implementation of Forest Rights Act 2006, said the Minister and lagging States will be perused to improve their performance at par with better performing States.
The Minister further informed that post-matric scholarship for tribal students will be released ensuring transparency and fast delivery. He said during the current financial year 20 new Ekalaya Model Residential Schools were opened and their total number has reached 213.
Underlining the importance of health related activities Oram said three crore ST children across the country were screened for sickle cell anemia. He said Rs 157 crore were released in 2015-16 for heath infrastructure and health centres.