“<–2/”>a >The Scheduled Areas” are those tribal inhabited areas which are located in other parts of the country than the North-East India. These areas are located in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Orissa and Rajasthan. Besides these areas, some other regions of the country also are governed by the special provisions.
In the ARTICLE 244(1) of the Constitution, expression Scheduled Areas means such areas as the President may by order declare to be Scheduled Areas.
The President may at any time by order
(a) direct that the whole or any specified part of a Scheduled Area shall cease to be a Scheduled Area or a part of such an area;
(b) increase the area of any Scheduled Area in a State after consultation with the Governor of that State;
(c) alter, but only by way of rectification of boundaries, any Scheduled Area;
(d) on any alteration of the boundaries of a State on the admission into the Union or the establishment of a new State, declare any territory not previously included in any State to be, or to form part of, a Scheduled Area;
(e) rescind, in relation to any State of States, any order or orders made under these provisions and in consultation with the Governor of the State concerned, make fresh orders redefining the areas which are to be Scheduled Areas.
For the overall welfare and development of the scheduled tribes, a Tribal Advisory Council is constituted in each state with a scheduled area.Tribes Advisory Council has following functions
(1) There shall be established in each State having Scheduled Areas therein and, if the President so directs, also in any State having Scheduled Tribes but not Scheduled Areas therein, a Tribes Advisory Council consisting of not more than twenty members of whom, as nearly as may be, three-fourths shall be the representatives of the Scheduled Tribes in the Legislative Assembly of the State:Provided that if the number of representatives of the Scheduled Tribes in the Legislative Assembly of the State is less than the number of seats in the Tribes Advisory Council to be filled by such representatives, the remaining seats shall be filled by other members of those tribes.
(2) It shall be the duty of the Tribes Advisory Council to advise on such matters pertaining to the welfare and advancement of the Scheduled Tribes in the State as may be referred to them by the Governor.
(3) The Governor may make rules prescribing or regulating, as the case may be,
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The Constitution of India provides for special provisions for the administration of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes. These provisions are intended to protect the interests of these communities and to promote their development.
The Constitution defines a Scheduled Area as an area specified in the Schedule V to the Constitution. The Schedule V lists 546 areas in India that are inhabited by Scheduled Tribes. A Scheduled Tribe is a tribe or a group of tribes or a community or part of a tribe or group of tribes that is deemed to be a Scheduled Tribe by the President of India.
The administration of Scheduled Areas is vested in the Governor of the State in which the area is located. The Governor may, by order, direct that the administration of any Scheduled Area shall be carried on by the President.
The Constitution provides for a number of special provisions for the administration of Scheduled Areas. These provisions include:
- The regulation of Money-lending in Scheduled Areas
- The regulation of transfer of land in Scheduled Areas
- The conservation of forests in Scheduled Areas
- The establishment of village councils in Scheduled Areas
- The administration of Justice in Scheduled Areas
- The Maintenance of Law and Order in Scheduled Areas
- The promotion of Education among Scheduled Tribes
- The promotion of Health among Scheduled Tribes
- The promotion of Economic Development among Scheduled Tribes
- The welfare of Scheduled Tribes
The Constitution also provides for a number of safeguards for the protection of the interests of Scheduled Tribes. These safeguards include:
- The right of Scheduled Tribes to conserve their customary laws and institutions
- The right of Scheduled Tribes to hold land and to enjoy other property rights
- The right of Scheduled Tribes to participate in the management of their own affairs
- The right of Scheduled Tribes to be protected from exploitation
The Constitution’s provisions for the administration of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes are intended to protect the interests of these communities and to promote their development. These provisions have been in place for over 70 years, and they have played a significant role in the progress of Scheduled Tribes in India.
However, there are a number of challenges that continue to face Scheduled Tribes in India. These challenges include:
- POVERTY
- Illiteracy
- Lack of access to healthcare
- Lack of access to education
- Lack of access to EMPLOYMENT opportunities
- Discrimination
The Government of India has taken a number of steps to address these challenges. These steps include:
- The launch of a number of affirmative action programs for Scheduled Tribes
- The provision of financial assistance to Scheduled Tribes
- The provision of scholarships to Scheduled Tribes students
- The provision of employment opportunities to Scheduled Tribes people
- The enactment of laws to protect the rights of Scheduled Tribes
Despite these efforts, there is still a long way to go in addressing the challenges that face Scheduled Tribes in India. The Government of India needs to continue to take steps to ensure that Scheduled Tribes have equal opportunities and that they are able to participate fully in the development of India.
What are the Scheduled Areas?
The Scheduled Areas are areas in India that have been designated as such by the Constitution of India. They are inhabited by Scheduled Tribes, who are indigenous peoples of India. The Scheduled Areas are governed by special laws and regulations, which are designed to protect the rights and interests of the Scheduled Tribes.
What are the Scheduled Tribes?
The Scheduled Tribes are indigenous peoples of India. They are also known as Adivasis or tribals. The Scheduled Tribes are a diverse group of people, with their own languages, cultures, and customs. They are found in all parts of India, but they are concentrated in the Scheduled Areas.
What are the special laws and regulations that govern the Scheduled Areas?
The special laws and regulations that govern the Scheduled Areas are designed to protect the rights and interests of the Scheduled Tribes. These laws and regulations cover a wide range of issues, including land rights, education, employment, and development.
What are some of the challenges faced by the Scheduled Tribes?
The Scheduled Tribes face a number of challenges, including poverty, illiteracy, and discrimination. They are also vulnerable to exploitation and violence. The government of India has taken a number of steps to address these challenges, but there is still much work to be done.
What are some of the achievements of the Scheduled Tribes?
Despite the challenges they face, the Scheduled Tribes have made a number of achievements. They have made significant progress in education and employment. They have also made progress in political representation. The Scheduled Tribes have also made a significant contribution to the culture and economy of India.
What is the future of the Scheduled Tribes?
The future of the Scheduled Tribes is uncertain. The challenges they face are daunting, but they have also made significant progress in recent years. The government of India has committed to improving the lives of the Scheduled Tribes, and there is reason to be hopeful for the future.
The following are some MCQs on the topics of Indian Polity and Governance:
Which of the following is not a feature of the Indian Constitution?
(A) It is a Written Constitution.
(B) It is a federal constitution.
(C) It is a unitary constitution.
(D) It is a flexible constitution.The President of India is elected by:
(A) The members of the Lok Sabha.
(B) The members of the Rajya Sabha.
(C) The members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
(D) The members of the Electoral College.The Prime Minister of India is appointed by:
(A) The President of India.
(B) The Vice President of India.
(C) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
(D) The Chief Justice of India.The Supreme Court of India is headed by:
(A) The Chief Justice of India.
(B) The Vice President of India.
(C) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
(D) The President of India.The Parliament of India consists of:
(A) The President of India and the Lok Sabha.
(B) The President of India and the Rajya Sabha.
(C) The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
(D) The President of India, the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha.The Finance Commission is appointed by:
(A) The President of India.
(B) The Vice President of India.
(C) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
(D) The Chief Justice of India.The Election Commission of India is appointed by:
(A) The President of India.
(B) The Vice President of India.
(C) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
(D) The Chief Justice of India.The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is appointed by:
(A) The President of India.
(B) The Vice President of India.
(C) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
(D) The Chief Justice of India.The National Human Rights Commission is constituted by:
(A) The President of India.
(B) The Vice President of India.
(C) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
(D) The Chief Justice of India.The National Commission for Women is constituted by:
(A) The President of India.
(B) The Vice President of India.
(C) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
(D) The Chief Justice of India.The National Commission for Minorities is constituted by:
(A) The President of India.
(B) The Vice President of India.
(C) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
(D) The Chief Justice of India.The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is constituted by:
(A) The President of India.
(B) The Vice President of India.
(C) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
(D) The Chief Justice of India.The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes is constituted by:
(A) The President of India.
(B) The Vice President of India.
(C) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
(D) The Chief Justice of India.The Planning Commission of India was replaced by:
(A) The National Development Council.
(B) The NITI Aayog.
(C) The Ministry of Finance.
(D) The Ministry of Planning.The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament is a:
(A) Standing Committee.
(B) Select Committee.
(C) Joint Committee.
(D) Ad hoc Committee.The Estimates Committee of Parliament is a:
(A) Standing Committee.
(B) Select Committee.
(C) Joint Committee.
(D) Ad hoc Committee.The Public Undertakings Committee of Parliament is a:
(A) Standing Committee.
(B) Select Committee.
(C) Joint Committee.
(D) Ad hoc Committee.The Committee on Petitions of Parliament is a:
(A) Standing Committee.
(B) Select Committee.
(C) Joint Committee.
(D) Ad hoc Committee.The Committee on Privileges of Parliament is a:
(A) Standing Committee.
(B) Select Committee.
(C) Joint Committee.
(D) Ad hoc Committee.The Committee