A study has been commissioned by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes to understand the status of the Scheduled Tribe population in the pockets of Chamarajanagar district.

Scheduled Tribes are the indigenous population of India that have been identified as socially and economically backward by the Government of India. These identified groups are in need of special protection from social injustice and exploitation. 

Tribal groups in India are at different stages of social, economic, and educational development. A study is being conducted by GRAAM in parts of Chamrajnagar District to examine the role of process enablers and barriers that shape the extent to which STs participate in and benefit from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. Also, the study will focus to understand the status of the Scheduled Tribe community’s access to Forest Rights under the Forest Rights Act. 

Objectives:

The study has been divided into two parts. The first is to study ST's participation in MGNREGA. Under the same, GRAAM will:

01. Assess the extent of participation of STs in the scheme compared to other communities at the national level and state level, and shed light on inter-state variations in the same

02. Examine the factors which shape participation of STs and PVTGS in MGNREA, including a) factors shaping demand for work among the STs and PVTGs, and b) challenges faced by STs and PVTGs in obtaining and taking up work

03. Examine the implementation processes, and enablers and barriers in the same (such as consideration of seasonal, cultural and ethnic aspects related to PVTG) which shape the extent to which STs and PVTGs participate in and benefit from the scheme

04. Make policy and implementation recommendations for enhancing the participation and benefits from MGNREGA to the STs and PVTGs

To make it comprehensive, GRAAM will also study ST's access to CFR for which:

01. An examination of the procedure adopted in settling the land rights and community rights claims under FRA 2006 will be conducted

02. An assessment of the implementation of FRA community rights in the selected study location will be conducted

03. GRAAM will take an understanding of the proportion of acceptance and rejection of applications for CFR

04. Will understand exclusion errors empirically by conducting field studies

05. Will study the functioning duties and responsibilities of the Forest Rights Enforcement Committee and other related statutory committees in the district

06. And also study the difficulties faced by the communities with regard to availability, storage, and disposal of small forest produce