High Level Committee constituted to study the socioeconomic status of the tribal communities of India

The union government Saturday announced constitution of a high-level committee to study the present socio-economic, health and educational status of tribals. The HLC shall suggest policy initiatives as well as effective outcome-oriented measures to improve development indicators and strengthen public service delivery to STs and other tribal populations. The High Level Committee will be headed by Prof. Virginius Xaxa.
The Terms of reference of the High Level Committee (HLC) are as follows:
The HLC will prepare a report on the overall socioeconomic, health and educational status of the tribal communities of India. The HLC will finalise and present its report within nine months from the date of this notification.
The committee will look into:
a) Regions in which tribal communities of India mostly live.b) Changes in the wake of involuntary displacement and enforced migration.c) Source of earning and newer avenues of employment and livelihood available to them.d) Level of their socio-economic development in terms of relevant indicators such as literacy rate, dropout rate, maternal mortality rate.e) Relative share of public and private sector employment.f) Access to education and health services, municipal infrastructure, bank credit, and other services provided by public sector.g) Structures available for implementing protective legislation involving them.
The HLC will be provided all possible assistance by all Ministries/ Departments and other bodies under the Government to ensure timely collection of data and information to facilitate their task.