Abstract

There are certain peculiarities of the social and economic organisation of India which creates certain difficulties for the PVTGs and other tribes in the country. This paper examines steps that have been made in the process of responding to the problems which these populations face in terms of social well-being with the help of provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act and the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation. Using the findings derived from the study, the roles of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in complementing gaps between the existing policies and the needs of the people through participatory development are explored. By having an appraisal of these welfare programs it has been found that the excluded sections in both Odisha, Andhra Pradesh states lack adequate services and intake of Welfare services and substandard physical structures and institutional support. Steps have been made in education, health and status of the people through development of skills and specializations but problems such as corruption and poor infrastructure poses a a challenge. However, the conflict between cultural identity and economic development has always been contentious, many welfare initiatives being a major concern, undermining indigenous people’s cultural practices. In line with the identified effective welfare models and interventions the paper highlights on the extended and more effective approach of treating the SC needs of PVTGs. The role played by Non Governmental organizations, community based organizations and the role played by technology and the government in enhancing the lives of these groups of people cannot go without being mentioned. Final words and ideas of the paper are focused on the statement that addressing the systemic and historical dimensions cannot be reduced to policy change but entails supporting tribes in their development.

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