In a significant move to uplift the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan on Wednesday. The program has been allocated a budget of ₹79,156 crore and aims to benefit over five crore tribal people across 63,000 tribal-majority villages in 549 districts and 2,740 blocks.
With India’s Scheduled Tribe (ST) population standing at 10.45 crore, comprising more than 705 tribal communities living in remote and difficult-to-reach areas, the government seeks to address critical gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihood within tribal regions. The initiative will build on the successes and insights gained from the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).
Key Features of the Abhiyan:
- Holistic Development: The program aims for the saturation of social infrastructure gaps through convergence and outreach of various government schemes to ensure the sustainable development of tribal areas.
- Comprehensive Mission: The mission comprises 25 interventions to be implemented by 17 line ministries, focusing on diverse aspects of tribal welfare.
- Special Focus on FRA Patta Holders: A special emphasis will be given to 22 lakh Forest Rights Act (FRA) patta holders residing in forest areas. The benefits of different schemes will be converged with the support of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Department of Animal Husbandry, Department of Fisheries, and Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
- Educational Infrastructure: The program plans to improve the infrastructure of Ashram schools, tribal hostels, and government residential schools, following the model of PM-SHRI schools, to enhance local educational resources and boost enrollment and retention rates in remote tribal areas.
- Forest Rights and Livelihood: Efforts will be made to expedite the recognition and securing of forest rights, empowering tribal communities for forest conservation, and providing sustainable livelihoods through various government schemes. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj will train stakeholders and officers at the block, district, and state levels.
- Tribal Multipurpose Marketing Centres (TMMC): To support the effective marketing of tribal products, 100 TMMCs will be established. These centers will enhance marketing infrastructure, branding, packaging, and transportation facilities, helping tribal producers receive fair prices for their products and reducing post-harvest and production losses.
- Healthcare: The program also includes plans to improve facilities for diagnosing sickle cell disease in states where the condition is prevalent.
This Abhiyan builds on the foundation laid by PM-JANMAN, which was launched on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas on November 15, 2023, with a budget of ₹24,104 crore, focusing on the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) population.
The government expects the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan to accelerate the process of tribal empowerment by recognizing forest rights, providing sustainable livelihoods, and improving social and educational infrastructure, thus fostering holistic development in tribal regions across the country.