Schemes for the Development of STs in Alipurduar, West Bengal

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs briefed the Lok Sabha on the suite of schemes targeting Scheduled Tribes (ST) in Alipurduar, West Bengal. Central and State‑shared scholarship programmes – Pre‑Matric, Post‑Matric, National Top‑Class Scholarship, National Fellowship and National Overseas Scholarship – are available, with specific beneficiary numbers for 2023‑26. The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) and Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) cover Alipurduar, allocating substantial central and state funds for infrastructure, hostels, mobile medical units and livelihood centres. Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) number seven in the district, serving 1,134 beneficiaries with Rs 55.05 lakh sanctioned. No Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) exist in Alipurduar, though nine are functional in West Bengal.