Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to unveil the PM PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) Development Mission on January 15, coinciding with Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, marking a significant step towards the holistic development of PVTGs. The Rs 24,000 crore mission, a first-of-its-kind since Independence, will be implemented through the convergence of 11 interventions across nine ministries. Key initiatives include PMGSY, PMGAY, Jal Jeevan Mission, and others.
This mission aims to cover 75 PVTGs in 18 states and Union Territories, residing in 22,544 villages across 220 districts, with a total population of approximately 28 lakhs. PVTGs often inhabit remote, scattered, and inaccessible areas, emphasizing the need for comprehensive development efforts. The mission intends to saturate PVTG families and their habitations with essential facilities like road and telecom connectivity, electricity, safe housing, clean drinking water, sanitation, and improved access to education, health, nutrition, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Scheme norms will be relaxed to extend coverage to these remote habitations, with a focus on achieving saturation for initiatives like PMJAY, Sickle Cell Disease Elimination, TB Elimination, 100% immunization, PM Surakshit Matritva Yojana, PM Matru Vandana Yojana, PM Poshan, and PM Jan Dhan Yojana. The launch of the Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission was announced in the Union budget for 2023-24 to enhance the socio-economic conditions of PVTGs.