ITDP refers to which one of the following?

The correct answer is Integrated Tribal Development Programme.

Key Points

• Integrated Tribal Development Programme
  • The Programme on Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDP) under Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) is being implemented since the Fifth Five Year Plan with specific objectives of reducing poverty, improving educational status, and eliminating exploitation of the tribal families.
  • The program was evaluated by the program Evaluation Organisation (PEO) in 1996 to assess the effective performance of the planning and monitoring arrangements, and the impact of the programs on the well-being of the Scheduled Tribes. 
  • The report was released in July 1997.
  • The fundings of the study indicate that a large majority of the tribal fees that they are better off now in terms of possession of productive and utility assets and access to food, clothing, transport facilities, electricity, schools, etc. than they were 10 years ago. 
  • Though the administrative arrangements to execute this program existed in all the states as per Central guidelines, the system of decentralized planning, implementation, and monitoring as envisaged in the guidelines for the scheme was not operational in most of the states. 
  • The delivery system of the program was not effective and a very large number of tribal farmers were found to use irrigation water, High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs from private sources, even though a significant proportion of funds is being spent on free delivery of such inputs. 
  • Inadequate facilities for primary education and health were also observed. 
  • To improve the situation, it has been suggested that ITDP Project Officer should be made more effective in planning and implementation of Tribal Development Programmes. 
  • It is also necessary to assess the deprivation of tribes in all the areas of social concern for the adoption of an appropriate principle for determining the size of the Tribal Sub-plan and allocation of funds across various sectors.  This must be backed by a strong monitoring mechanism.

Additional Information

• Impact of Integrated Tribal Development Programme
  • 5394 acres of land has been promoted under the WADI program benefitting more than 5550 tribal families.
  • 5500 Tribal Marginal farmers have a significant increase in their average yearly income of 20000 to 30000.
  • The increased multi-cropping system followed in the WADI has achieved food & nutritional security for the family.
  • Increased involvement and active participation of various stakeholders viz development institution, tribals, financial institutions.