costs of such schemes of development as may be undertaken by the State for the purpose of promoting the welfare of the scheduled tribes in that state or raising the level of administration of the scheduled areas therein to that of the rest of the areas of that state. Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) The Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) was provisioned to be formed in each state with Schedule V areas to provide assured assistance to the development of such areas. However, most of the TACs remained dysfunctional or were not formed at all. The 73rd and 74th Amendmenst After the 73rd and 74th Amendments, large-scale administrative and financial powers have been delegated to local bodies constituted all over the country except in the Sixth Schedule areas. The Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (The PESA Act, 1996) The PESA Act of 1996 was initiated after the 73rd Amendment to extend decentralization to Schedule V areas. The Act empowered local village level Panchayats, referred to as Gram Panchayats. The Civil Rights Act of 1956 and the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989 provided for protection of members of SC and ST communities from non-members through provision of severe punishments. Land transfer from SC/ST citizens to non-SC/ST is not allowed. Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDPs) ITDPs were initiated where the ST population in a block or cluster of blocks was more than 50%. There are presently 194 ITDPs across the country. Ministry of Tribal Affairs In order to give more focused attention to the development of Scheduled Tribes, a separate Ministry of Tribal Affairs was constituted in October 1999. The new Ministry, carved out of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is the nodal Ministry for overall policy, planning and coordination of programs and schemes for the development of Scheduled Tribes. The Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition Of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 The Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 is a historical statutory measure undertaken to undo historical injustice done to tribal communities. As stated in the Act’s Preamble, it is “to recognize and vest the forests rights and occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in such forests.” Assessment of Key Actors Promoting/ Impeding IPs’ Lanf Rights Government The National Council for Land Reforms was formed in 2008 under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister to look into unfinished tasks in land reforms. The Constitution of India provides for special provisions for promoting economic and social development and protection against all forms of exploitation. A special provision of the Tribal Sub-Plan was adopted at the beginning of the Fifth Five Year Plan to ensure funds commitment Lok Niti 55