Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan Approved for Tribal Empowerment

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its nod to the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan, a landmark initiative aimed at the holistic development of tribal communities. With a total budget allocation of ₹79,156 crore (central share ₹56,333 crore and state share ₹22,823 crore), this mission targets over 63,000 tribal-majority villages, including those in aspirational districts. The initiative is set to benefit more than 5 crore tribal people, covering 549 districts and 2,740 blocks across 30 states and union territories, as announced in the Budget 2024-25.

Key Highlights of the Mission:

1. Addressing Critical Gaps in Tribal Development
This mission is a convergence of 25 interventions implemented by 17 central ministries, focusing on critical areas such as social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihood in tribal areas. It aims to address historical challenges faced by India’s tribal communities and ensure their socio-economic upliftment through holistic and sustainable approaches.

2. Goal-Oriented Approach for Tribal Development
The mission has been structured into four primary goals:

  • Goal I: Developing Enabling Infrastructure
    • Ensuring pucca housing for eligible Scheduled Tribe (ST) households under PMAY (Gramin), along with water supply under Jal Jeevan Mission and electricity through RDSS. Access to Ayushman Bharat Card for health benefits is also ensured.
    • Improving village infrastructure with all-weather road connectivity under PMGSY, mobile and internet access, and better infrastructure for health, education, and nutrition.
  • Goal II: Promotion of Economic Empowerment
    • The mission focuses on providing skill development, promoting entrepreneurship, and improving livelihood options for ST communities through the Skill India Mission. Long-term skill courses will be made accessible to ST boys and girls, while marketing support will be provided via Tribal Multipurpose Marketing Centres (TMMC) and initiatives in agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries.
  • Goal III: Universalization of Access to Quality Education
    • The mission strives to bridge educational gaps by raising Gross Enrollment Ratios (GER) in schools and higher education to national levels. Tribal hostels will be established to support students in accessing affordable and quality education.
  • Goal IV: Ensuring Healthy Lives and Dignified Ageing
    • Enhancing access to health facilities and bringing health indicators like Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) closer to national standards. The program also envisions the deployment of Mobile Medical Units in remote areas.

3. PM Gati Shakti Portal for Monitoring
All tribal villages covered under the Abhiyan will be mapped on the PM Gati Shakti Portal to identify gaps and track the progress of interventions. This platform will serve as a comprehensive monitoring tool for both physical and financial progress, ensuring accountability. Districts showing the best performance will be recognized and awarded under this program.

Socio-Economic Impact:

India’s Scheduled Tribe population stands at 10.45 crore (2011 Census), spread across 705 tribal communities residing in remote and underserved areas. With this mission, the government aims to improve their access to essential infrastructure, quality education, health services, and sustainable livelihood opportunities. By focusing on marginalized tribal communities, the mission directly addresses India’s long-standing need for inclusive development and equitable resource distribution.

Conclusion:

The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan is a comprehensive approach that aims to bridge the development gap in tribal areas through targeted and convergent interventions. With a robust monitoring mechanism and significant budget outlay, this mission is expected to bring tangible improvements in the lives of India’s tribal population, contributing to their overall socio-economic development.

Source : The Hindu 

Mains Related Question

“Discuss the significance of the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan in addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by India’s tribal communities. How does the mission’s convergence approach with various government schemes aim to achieve holistic development in tribal-majority villages?”