Tribal startups key in support plan for labour

NEW DELHI: The Centre has framed a livelihood programme for tribal labourers who are returning to their home states amid the Covid-19. As per an estimate of the ministry of tribal affairs, 1.5-2 million people from tribal areas work in different parts of the country. Jobless and running out of money, these people are now arriving at the quarantine camps in their homes states.
According to sources, the ministry has framed a livelihood programme for these labourers, called Livelihood with Safety. Under this programme, the Centre has planned ‘tribal startups’, which will encourage tribals to form working groups, or self-help groups. They may be organised according to skills and given suggestions for undertaking work such as value-addition, making products with locally-available raw materials, or production of artifacts that are unique to that region.

The ministry has written to the states, especially those with high tribal population, to frame proposals for grants from the Centre. For this, the ministry has entrusted Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) to frame specific programmes for the states.

TRIFED managing director Pravir Krishna said, “Loss of livelihood for the labourers is a major issue right now. So we have framed a strategy to provide employment to them. Due to the outbreak, there are very limited options for them at home. This is why we have to ensure that they have means of livelihood. Organising them in small groups and pushing their products in the market would be our aim.”