Status of Tribal in Project Area

Transcription

1 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized FINAL REPORT- IP PI Tribal Development The objective of the ISEA Study was to assess the potential and adverse impacts on tribal community due to the development measures and to mitigate them at par with others. In the Indian context, indigenous people are categorized as tribals who often become vulnerable in development projects not only because their cultural autonomy is undermined as a consequence of the project outcomes, but also because they endure specific disadvantages in terms of social indicators of quality of life, economic status, and usually as subjects of social exclusion. Consequently, they are unable to participate in the development process on an equal footing with the rest in the community, nor able to reap a fair share of the benefits of developmental projects. Therefore the study also attempts to identify issues that may constraint their participation in the project and suggest measures to enhance their involvement and enable them to access project benefits at par with others. Status of Tribal in Project Area In Maharashtra, nearly one-tenth of the state's population is constituted by Scheduled Tribes. Tribal is largely concentrated in the western hilly Districts of Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Nashik and Thane (Shyadri Region) and the eastern forests Districts of Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Bhandara, Gondia, Nagpur, Amravati and Yavatmal (Gondwana Region). Thus twelve of the 35 districts in the state have been identified as Scheduled areas under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, that is, areas that have significant proportion of population as tribals. The Project will cover 6 of these 12 tribal districts. These districts are Ahemdnagar, Thane, Nanded, Jalgaon, Amaravati, and Gadchiroli. In these regions there are 24 sub plan areas served by 24 Integrated Tribal Development Projects where tribals constitute nearly 50%. In the project areas visited, there is a high proportion of Tribal population living in the villages coming under some of the schemes covered under the sample selected for the study. Some of the tribals living in visited areas are: Kathkaris, Thakurs, Warli, Mahadev Kolis in the Amboli project areas, while in the Panzara project, the tribal are Kokana (about 80 per cent), Bhils (about 5 to 10 per cent). MacquihrMashtra-W-ateei throug imropur rctardnh l19 'sdppiler,?k 'ae, -nom II -itedi on dditi6n has rii,edand he Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project 198

2 Consequently, it may be argued that the implementation of the project will enable tribal farmers the improved economic returns through irrigation. Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project 199

3 Table I: Districtwise Total and Tribal Population of Maharashtra State (as per 2001 census) (Population in thousand) S.No. State/D ivision/district Population Percentage of Tribal Population to the Total Tribal Total Population 1 Mumbai Suburban Mumbai City Thane Raigad Ratnagiri Sindhudurg Nashik Dhule Nandurbar Jalgaon Ahmednagar Pune Satara Sangli Solapur Kolhapur Aurangabad Jalna Parbhani Hingoli Beed Nanded Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project 200

4 S.No. State/Division/District Population Percentage of Tribal Population to the Total Tribal Total Population 23 Osmanabad Latur Buldhana Akola Washim Amravati Yavatmal Wardha Nagpur Bhandara Gondia Chandrapur Gadchiroli Total - Maharashtra State Tribal Illiteracy in Maharashtra Illiteracy is rampant among tribal people. According to the 1991 census, less than 50% of males amongst tribals were literate and this percentage amongst women was as low as 24%. Several measures undertaken by the government would have improved the situation over the years, however, when compared to other sections of population, tribals continue to be backward in terms of literacy/education level. Irrigation in Tribal Areas In Maharashtra, nearly 85 percent of the tribal population is engaged in Agriculture. Out of this 40 percent are farmers and 45 Percent are agricultural labourers. Therefore, the mainstay of the tribal economy is still agriculture and allied occupations. Although, most of the tribal families depend on Agriculture for their main source of income and occupation, tribal agriculture is characterized by low technology and low input resources Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project 201

5 FINAL REPORTand therefore, the nature of agricultural productivity of various crops in the tribal areas is not high. Moreover, irrigation facilities in the tribal areas are also extremely limited. The main occupation of the tribals in the State is agriculture. Despite this, the irrigation facilities existing in the tribal areas continue to be inadequate and the command area of the irrigation projects usually lie in the plain lands, whereas the tribals mainly reside in the hilly areas. Therefore, the major benefits of these projects predominantly go to nontribal land holders. The increase in agricultural production is inextricably linked with increase in irrigation facilities. Therefore the flow of benefits from the irrigation projects to the tribals are usually negligible on account of the reasons mentioned above and hence, it is quite necessary to ensure that where tribals are present in the project command areas, they get benefited from the project activities and development. Economic status of Tribals In terms of sources of livelihood, tribals depend largely on farming and agriculture labour. These two economic activities contribute almost 80% of the household income as reflected in the Table-2. This is obvious as the study confined to the command area farmers where other opportunities like forest produce collection are limited. As mentioned above, agriculture is the main stay of tribal communities in the state but since they continue to practice traditional farming practices, farm productivity is low. As a result, the economic status of vast majority of the tribals is low. Table-3 shows that more than 90% of the tribals earn less than INR 11,000 per year. It is estimated that nearly 64% are living below poverty line. Table 2: The Distribution of Source-wise Income of Scheduled Tribe Families in the Percentage as per Bench Mark Survey ( ) S. No. Source Percentage with total income 1. Agricultural Farming Agricultural labour Forest Labour Trading Services Dairy Other Sources 2.56 Total Source: Bench Mark Survey ( ) Table 3: The Distribution of Scheduled Tribe Families in the Tribal Sub-Plan Areas according to their Income Ranges S.No. Income Range No. of Scheduled Percentage of S.T. Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project 202

6 (INR per year) Tribes Families according to Income Range 1. Upto to to to to to and above TOTAL TOTAL Below Poverty Line % Source: Bench Mark Survey ( ) Legal Policies and Provisions for Tribals Taking into account the socio-economic backwardness of the tribals, government both at the center and the state, have formulated a number of programmes to safeguard the interests of tribals and their development. These programmes are in addition to the safeguards provided under the constitution and other policies of the Gol and GoM. While the tribal development plans are co-ordinated by the Tribal Development Department of the State, these are implemented by the concerned line departments. Some of these programmes are presented below: Departments Welfare Schemes for Scheduled Tribes in Maharashtra Schemes Agriculture * Scheme to provide assistance to cane plantation for BPL families, * Assistance also available for land development works; input kits; improved agricultural implements; repairing of old wells; digging of tube wells; pipelines; pumpsets, etc. at subsidized rates. Supply of bullocks, carts are given subsidy at the rate of 80% and the balance 20 percent amount as interest free loans Horticulture. 100 percent subsidy is being given under the scheme to small and marginal tribal farmers which envisages development of dry land horticulture linked through the Employment Guarantee Scheme * 50% subsidy is given to cultivators for control of pests and diseases for adopting plant protection measures. Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project 203

7 Departments Schemes Fisheries * Fish Seed production: to extend the existing farms, wherever possible and also to establish new fish seed farms in tribal areas.. Fish farming in impounded water: under this scheme seed is supplied at subsidized rate to the fisheries cooperative and local bodies for stocking and also subsidy is given on construction of rearing ponds, purchase of food and fertilizer is also granted.. Assistance for purchase of fishery requisites: financial assistance is given to tribal fishermen in the form of subsidy for various items for fishery requisites like nylon twine, readymade nets, construction of boats Animal * Veterinary Services and Animal Health: where in (i) husbandry Upgradation of Veterinary Aid Centres (ii) establishment of Veterinary Dispensary Grade I will be taken up * Cattle and buffalo development: In this scheme besides establishment, expansions and reorganizations of regional artificial insemination centres, units of Milch animals and Feed subsidy would be provided i.e. 2 Milch animals cow/buffalos are supplied along with feed. * Poultry Development: Supply of pullets to provide occupation and also to fulfill their need for protein rich food through eat and eggs * Supply of Goat Units to SC/ST families: In this scheme, 10 female + I male unit is provided to beneficiaries on 50% subsidy Forestry * Plantation of Forest species for Industrial and Commercial Uses which though may not directly benefit tribals but would provide income to them in terms of wages by working on the plantations * Reforestation of Degraded forests Development of Minor Forest Produce by raising plantation of species which yield valuable such as Hirda, Khaira, Sandal-wood, etc. Education * Provision for opening of Balwadis in Zilla Parishad Primary School. Grant to DRDAs for construction of Primary School Building.. Attendance allowance to girls from weaker sections of society * Instructional material for Adivasi children in Standard I an 11 Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project 204

8 Departments Schemes Tech. Education * +2 vocational education: in this scheme (i) technical (ii) commerce (iii) agriculture (iv) hotel management (v) fisheries (vi) para-medical at present 27 competency based vocational subjects are being taught. * Introduction of certificate course in board of vocational examination Industries and * Seed money assistance to Educated unemployed: to take Commerce up self employment ventures. Local persons between the age group of 18 to 50 who have passed at least the Vllth standard are eligible to avail of seed money upto Rs. 1.5 lac * District Industries Centres in the form of Loan Schemes for Tiny units Sericulture * The cultivation of Mulberry and rearing of silkworm form the agriculture base of this industry and outlay has been provided for the same Power * Under the rural electrification programme work for electrification of 35 hamlets, 2000 energization of agricultural pumpsets and release of 3000 domestic connections has been proposed * Non-conventional sources of Energy: under nonoconventional and renewable energy devises systems are distributed/installed among the tribals. * Also electrification through Wind-Solar Hybrid Systems Rnewable Energy Systems and Small Hydro Power Generation. Tribal. Tribal Development Department was reorganized in 1992 Development Department Women & * Schemes such as supply of bicycles to girls students in Std. Children Development V to X; opening of new Balwadis; supply of sarees to women belonging to economically weaker sections ; grant of financial assistance to destitute women for housing purposes; construction of toilets and lavoratories for rural women * Under the ICDS scheme supplementary nutrition; immunization; health checkup; referral schemes; nutrition and health education; non-formal education and local feeing cereals and pulses produced locally. Pregnant and lactating mother and severely malnourished children are also given larger supply of 150 gms per day. Housing * Scheme for extension of village gaothan is primarily meant for planned extension of the village sites to relieve congestion in the village due to increasing population pressure Rural For economic upliftment of the STs the following projects are Development & being implemented. Panchayat Raj * Swarna Jayanthi Swayam Rozgar Yojana ( SJSRY),. Drought prone Area Programme: Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project 205

9 Departments Schemes * Sampurna Gramin Rojgar Yojana (SGRY) * Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS). Health * Establishment of primary health centre (PHCs) and Sub Centres (SCs) and Rural Hospitals. a Establishment of rescue camps in tribal remote areas in the raining season * Under the scheme Drishtidan Yojana spectacles would be provided free of cost to cataract operated patients Employment & * Craftsman Training Scheme (ITIs): under which new it is will Training be established; introduction of trade of more demand in lieu of trades less demand; removal of deficiencies in equipment and Hand tools creation of additional training facilities in BTRI centres. Also under the Nav Sanjeevan Yojana they would be provided employment opportunities under the Employment Guarantee scheme; Jawahar Rozgar Yojana and Assured Employment Scheme.. Pre-Military and Police Training Centres: 9 ore-recruitment centres have been established to impart pre-military training to tribals * Motor Driving Training Centres for providing training to Scheduled Tribes in youths to help them in recruitment to Governmentsemi-govt. organizations Cooperatives * Maharashtra State Cooperative Tribal development Corporation was established in the year 1972 under the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act * Grant of interest subsidy under various schemes (1) to small farmers (2) to tribal farmers (3) to Adivasi members of Adivasi Cooperative society at 5 percent (2) crop product incentive scheme * Financial assistance to ST for purchase of shares of cooperative sugar factories * Managerial subsidy for fair price shops of Tribal Cooperative Societies.. Managerial subsidy and share capital to Adivasi VKS societies for revitalization Water Supply. Water Supply and Sanitation Programme to be executed and Sanitation through Gram Sabhas wherein beneficiaries has to pay 10% capital cost as popular contribution and should borne 100% expenditure towards operation and maintenance * Dug well and Bore Well Programme and Piped Water Supply scheme are being executed by the Zilla Parishads. Irrigation Only Minor Irrigaton schemes are being taken up under the Tribal Sub-plan Banking Schemes * Shabari Tribal Finance and Development Corporation for the for STs scheduled tribes for assisting them to start their own businesses by providing financial assistance through subsidy, seed capital, etc. Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project 206

10 Departments Schemes Consumption Finance Scheme (Khavati Loan) for consumption requirements of the needy tribal families during the lean employment season i.e monsoon c The detailed policies and provisions related to the tribals are given in Annexure T Issues and concern of Tribal Based on an assessment of the field situation in the project areas, consultations with the stakeholders, and findings of several studies, the ISEA found the following factors as important for enabling tribal to participate in the project and to derive benefits at par with others. ( Tribals continue to practice traditional agricultural practices and hence not deriving maximum benefits from irrigated agriculture ( Exposure to emerging markets is limited Access to institutional credit, farm inputs and agricultural extension services is limited Poor leadership quality and inadequate representation/participation in decisionmaking Lack of consultation with tribals on water management practices. Farmers belonging to tribal category have, by and large, been affected economically over the years due to poor conditions of the irrigation structures. They are now expected to become members of the Water User Associations (WUAs) to manage the distribution systems within their commands, and at higher regional (distribution and system) levels. There is a considerable opposition among the farmers, led both by tribal and others as well - especially supported by Shetkari Sanghatan or Kissan Mazdur Associations - to the formation of the WUAs. Reasons for such an opposition is, mainly a reluctance to own up the participate and to contribute towards the 0 and M of the system. Not all farmers are aware that during the initial five years the Line Department will contribute towards the 0 and M, while even those are aware, of the opinion that the Department should bear the 0 and M costs even after five years. ( Presently, hardly any civil society NGOs is engaged in tribal areas to educate, and mobilize the stakeholders to form WUAs and contribute towards 0 and M. ( there are also apprehensions that the implementation of the project would result in: Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project 207

11 0 Lack of concern for the social and economic needs of the tribal in the command area, even if the WUAs are formed O Loss of jobs when WUAs take the responsibility of operating the canals, which now will be under the authority of the WUAs - presently tribals are engaged in O&M works by ID but they apprehend that this opportunity will be lost if WUAs are formed which will be captured by elite class. 03 Tribals due to their poor economic level are not able to pay the membership of the WUAs, and subsequently 0 and M cost. 0 Tribals feel that they have to bear the 0 and M costs over and above the money already being paid to ID towards the use of irrigation water (Paani patti). C Illiteracy is rampant. 0 Landless among tribals have few employment opportunities 0 Tribals not being fully well versed with the functioning of the WUAs, their byelaws etc., may be at a handicap in participating equally in their working. 0 Due to poor economic condition, tribals do not have means to invest on improved seeds, fertilizers, farm practices to increase their income level by taking advantage of improved irrigation. Strategy for Tribal Development MWSIP being an irrigation project, it would be unrealistic to assume that all the issues mentioned above will be addressed by the project. Especially, when there are several programs of GOM and GOI addressing most of these issues, it would be a right approach that the project aims at creating implementation strategies to dovetail such development programs for the benefits of tribals in sub-project areas. However, the project would focus on issues that are directly related to the tribals' involvement in project activities and accessing project benefits. Thus the bottomline is to ensure an equitable opportunities for tribals to get project benefits. The main objective of a tribal development strategy would be therefore, to ensure that the tribals are actively involved with the project activities and they have access to project benefits at par with the rest of the community. The strategy also aims at minimizing any negative impacts like creating further sources of social and economic imbalances between communities. The specific objectives of the strategy are: ) To ensure project benefits are accessible to the Tribal living in the project areas. Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project 208

12 @) To enable the tribals to participate in the community institutions with better capacity in decision making process. Tribal Development Strategy Issue Strategies Proposed activities Respon- Possible sibilities linkages Lack of participation - educate - frequent meetings, periodical review & WUA/ID Public WUA/project on interactions with tribal groups staff/ Relation involvement of tribal - organize training on leadership; NGO/ Dept./ - insist on required - IEC material to focus on tribal issues/ IEC TDD quorum in WUA rights Consultmeetings - - document proceedings of the meetings ant! encourage free - sub-project to reflect tribal issues Social discussion & - use of folk art forms, mass media Devp. consider issues - strengthen eco clubs in schools in Specialiraised by tribal tribal areas st (SDS) - IEC strategy to - frequent meetings with tribal groups - focus on tribal apply PRA technique. issues. Poor leadership - IEC focused on the - work with ST groups to communicate WUA/ID qualities tribal rights and roles the goals, strategies and plans of WUAs staff/ in WUAs and the project. NGO/ - training in - ensure adequate representation for ST SDS leadership & members WUA executive committee organizational development - design and organize specific capacity building programs for tribal groups Low return from - ensure need based - facilitate exposure to improved WUA/ID Agriculirrigated agriculture agricultural agriculture practices, with support staff/ ture Dept./ extension and from the line departments and NGO/ Banks/ support services research institutes SDS TDD - ensure supply of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and technical know how in coordination with line departments and credit agencies - support in periodic soil testing and demonstration of techniques to make the best use of soil conditions. - organize special training programs & demonstration plots for tribals with the help of line departments - organize exposure trips to agricultural farms, research stations progressive farmers under the project - facilitate access to institutional credit - establish linkages with the agriculturemarketing network, provide logistic support. Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project 209

13 Issue Strategies Proposed activities Respon- Possible sibilities linkages Tail-end command - ensure mandatory - emphasize on equity for distribution of WUA/ID CADA/ farmers and membership of water staff/ Agricultuirregular/inadequate - involve tribals in determining the NGO/ re Dept. availability of water WUAs & as water-flow dimensions in the command SDS representatives in - insist on field distribution channels in the executive place of flooding water from field to field and make arrangements with CADA for committee the same - facilitate WUA to - one time WUA membership to be paid evolve an by the project appropriate water distribution system High incidence of - strengthen off-farm - identify educated unemployed WUA/ID Rural landlessness and non-farm occupations youth for job-oriented skill training programs, tying up with DiCs and staff/ NGO/ Devp./ DIC/ NGOs, and public agencies SDS Animal - promote animal husbandry: sheep, goats, cows and Buffaloes, tie up Husba- ndry/ with the Director of Animal Forest husbandry and the District's lead TDDpt/ lending bank. Banks - implement Tree Patta Scheme for trees grown in the fore shore areas of the reservoirs for the landless among STISC as main beneficiaries. - formation of self-help groups, sponsored by the local NGOs. Membership fee will be provided by the Project for BPL members. No land owned in - promote irrigation - tie up with the concerned line WUA/ID Lift the command area - improve dryland departments for either individual or staff/ Irrigation/ farming community irrigation scheme - NGO/ Soil - integrate with emphasize on drip irrigation. SDS Conserand watershed - promote mixed farming andevelophent in rain fed conditions vation/ in consultation with Agriculdevelopment agriculture and animal husbandry ture Dept./ programs deatet.banks! departments. TDD High incidence of - employment in - identify those dependent on wage WUA/ID Rural joblessness project construction employment and ensure that staff/ Dept./ activities and O&M contractorsfwua employ them NGO/ Women work on preferential during project construction and O&M SDS and Child basis activities Welfare - form SHGs and encourage to take Dept./ up petty contracts with WUAs TDDks/ Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project 210

14 Issue Strategies Proposed activities Respon- Possible sibilities linkages - promote functional - integrate with mass education and WUA/ID Educat- Low literacy literacy total literacy programs staff/ ion Dept.! NGOI TDD - tune agril. - farm extension programs to include SDS extension programs audio-visual aids and participatory to the needs of the learning methods. illiterates - customize training programs to meet the needs of illiterate and neo-literate ST communities Inadequate - promote health - organize health campaigns, health WUAIID PHD/ awareness on awareness camps (general and referral) in staff/ Horticulhealth and association with line departments and NGO/ ture sanitation - increase access to local medical institutions SDS Action Plan health and sanitation facilities - promote nutritional gardens with the support of line departments. Distribute seed material kit and saplings. The precise nature of interventions and the additional activities needed to address any specific problems of tribals would be determined when the strategic social assessment is carried out at individual sub-project level for preparing sub-project plans. All specific measures proposed to develop tribal people in a sub-project area will form part of the sub-project plan. Involvement of Tribal Groups The first and foremost in the process of preparing sub-project plan is that when the field level officials of ID along with other line departments, WUAs and NGO start working with the project community. During this process, these functionaries should ensure the involvement of tribals at all stages of planning and implementing project interventions at the sub-project level. Wherever WUAs do not have adequate representation of tribals in its Management Committee, concerted efforts are required to ensure that tribals are given due representation. This is particularly important in sub-project areas where tribals are mixed with general population and there is likelihood that they are marginalised in the decision-making at the local level. In order to ensure a fair representation to the tribal groups in such areas, members from this community would be co-opted in the WUA executive committee. In irrigation schemes coming within scheduled areas, however, majority of WUA executive members will be from tribal groups. The role of ID and NGO assumes significant importance here when they take up awareness campaigns to explain the need for the active involvement of tribals in the decision making process at the WUA level. Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project 211

15 For this purpose, NGO and ID functionaries will undertake an awareness and communication campaign to explain about the participatory nature of project activities and the need to involve all sections of the society in planning and implementing project interventions at the WUA level. In areas inhabited by tribals, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns will be designed and tailored to meet their sociocultural situations and will be taken up more intensively to ensure their participation and a fair and adequate representation in the WUA activities. NGO and ID staff will liaise with and mobilize, as required, other government agencies in the area to provide support and dovetail relevant government schemes for the development of tribals in sub-project areas and also seek focused attention of staff working with various line departments. For this purpose, capacity would be built under the project to encourage and equip ID staff and NGOs to work with the tribal groups and provide adequate resources for their field operations in WUA areas with large tribal population. Actions planned at the WUA level At the WUA level, following actions are envisaged through out the process of preparing, implementing and monitoring activities proposed under the Tribal Development Plan (TDP). * Participatively identify tribal people in WUA areas particularly with mixed population. * Determine the economic status of tribals, in terms of their landholding, poverty level, livelihood strategies and their dependence on the sub-project. This will help in planning activities under TDP focused on their economic development. * Ensure that tribal households actively participate in the WUA decision making process. * Ensure that the tribals get employment opportunities during the project construction activities on preferential basis. * Encourage self-help groups (SHG) among tribals to take up economic activities. Organize separate SHG for women among tribals so as to benefit from their social and cultural capital. * ID/Project staff, NGO and functionaries of other line departments should try to strengthen the livelihood of tribals through their involvement in project activities at WUA level. Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project 212

16 TDP an integral part of Sub-project Plan: The over all approach in planning and implementing TDP is to extend programs already inbuilt in the project design on a priority basis to tribal communities under the project. Besides, all efforts will be made to dove tail government development programs for the socio-economic welfare of tribal groups so that tribals access project benefits at par with others. In this regard, ID/Project staff at different levels have major responsibilities to ensure that tribals benefit from the activities under the project. Specifically, ID/Project staff at the sub-project/vua level should ensure the following. * Irrigation schemes with more than 20% population as tribal will prepare TDP to address tribal issues in relation to proposed activities. In such schemes, TDP will be an integral component of the sub-project Plan, and accordingly ensure that the financial allocation are inclusive of the proposed TDP activities. + Identify and amalgamate GOl/ GoM programs and schemes meant for tribal areas and tribal communities and examine the means of augmenting the delivery system in their favor in WUA areas. + Project staff/wua will ensure that wage employment opportunities under the proposed activities are offered to tribals on a priority basis. * Similarly, ensure that farm demonstration and other support programs planned under the project are extended to tribal families on a preferential basis * As a part of monitoring and evaluation process, PMU should undertake periodic (half-yearly) assessment to review the progress of TDP activities. * The Social Development Specialist at the PMU/Basin levels will coordinate and monitor the activities of TDP at the sub-project/wua level. Institutional arrangement TDP will form an integral part of the sub-project Plan and its implementation will be synchronized with other project interventions at WUA level. The responsibility of approving TDP as part of sub-project Plan will be with the PMU/Basin level organization. The social development specialist with PMU will ensure that TDPs conform to the agreed TD strategy of the project. At all the major schemes, there will be a designated person to be responsible for TDP activities who will ensure that TDPs prepared at the sub-project level are in accordance with the agreed TD strategy of the project. Allocation of funds for TD at WUA level will be in proportion to the tribal membership. Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project 213

17 Strategy for implementing TD component under the proposed MWSIP is to work in close association with the existing TD agencies duly supplementing their efforts with Project initiatives. The Project will facilitate dove tailing of on going welfare measures for the over all upliftment of tribal communities in irrigation areas covered under the project.. This will require the project functionaries to work in close coordination with the functionaries of the above agencies and ensure proper linkages with government schemes for the over all socio-economic development of tribal communities. Any direct investment from the Project will be with an aim to help tribals access project benefits at par with others. In order to have focused attention on tribal development under the project, a Social Development Specialist within the Social and Environmental cell at the PMU will coordinate with the relevant government departments and agencies. This Unit will also be responsible to monitor the preparation and implementation of TDPs at the individual sub-project level. At the Basin/major Irrigation schemes level, preparation and implementation of TDPs will be the responsibility of the designated Social Development Specialist. Where ever suitable NGOs are available, they will be engaged to facilitate the preparation and implementation of TDP. Inter-sector coordination will be ensured at the state, Basin and sub-project level through PMU, Basin and sub-project level ID organizations. At the state level, a Project Steering Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary and comprise Principal Secretaries of various departments will provide inter-departmental coordination and strategic directions, decisions and support with a view to ensure timely and successful implementation of all project activities. Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project 214

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