The Scheme “Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (VKY)” has been included as a Central Sector Scheme in the Annual Plan of Ministry of Tribal Affairs with an initial allocation of Rs. 100.00 Crore for 2014-15.  Necessary formalities of appraisal and approval of the Scheme has been done and the Scheme has been formally launched for implementation on 28.10.2014 by the Ministry. 

            The VKY is broadly a process, aiming at overall development of tribal people with an outcome-base approach, which would ensure that all the intended benefits goods and services to the tribal people through various programmes/schemes of Central and State Governments covered under the respective Tribal Sub-Plans actually reach them by way of appropriate convergence.

            Through VKY, it is envisaged to develop the backward blocks in the Schedule V States as model Blocks with visible infrastructural facilities to further the mission development while ensuring the following:

                               I.            Qualitative and sustainable employment.

                            II.            Emphasis on quality education & higher education.

                         III.            Accelerated economic development of tribal areas.

                         IV.            Health for all.

                            V.            Housing for all.

                         VI.            Safe drinking water for all at doorsteps.

                      VII.            Irrigation facilities suited to the terrain.

                   VIII.            All weather roads with connectivity to the nearby town/cities.

                         IX.            Universal availability of electricity.

                            X.            Urban development.

                         XI.            Robust institutional mechanism to roll the vehicle of development with sustainability.

                      XII.            Promotion and conservation of Tribal Cultural Heritage.

                   XIII.            Promotion of Sports in Tribal Areas.

            During the current year 2014-15, it is proposed to implement a pilot project in one Block each in the ten States having Schedule V areas. These ten blocks have been selected primarily base on low literacy criteria. The scheme is to be implemented through State Governments and it has been decided to release Rs.10.00 crore to each of the selected states as a gap filling measure.

        This information was given by Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Ministry Shri Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava in Lok Sabha today.

Samir/jk