Key Initiatives for Tribal Groups | 17 Nov 2023

Source: IE

Why in News?

On the Occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (15th November) the Prime Minister (PM) has launched three key Initiatives to ensure last-mile welfare scheme delivery and protection for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

  • The PM launched ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’, Pradhan Mantri Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PM PVTG) Development Mission and Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan.

What is Janjatiya Gaurav Divas?

  • The Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is celebrated every year on the Birth Anniversary of Birsa Munda, to recognize the efforts of the tribals in the preservation of cultural heritage and promotion of Indian values of national pride, valour, and hospitality.
  • Tribals held several tribal movements across different regions of India against the British colonial rule. These tribal communities include Tamars, Santhals, Khasis, Bhils, Mizos, and Kols to name a few.

What are these Key Initiatives?

  • PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN):
    • About: PM JANMAN aims to protect and nurture tribal groups, especially those on the verge of extinction, by providing them with necessary support, development, and connectivity to mainstream services and opportunities.
    • Coverage: The initiative covers 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) residing in 18 states and union territories, spread across 22,544 villages in 220 districts.
      • Approximately 28 lakh people belong to these identified tribal groups.
    • Significance: PM JANMAN underscores the government's commitment to uplifting and safeguarding tribal communities, preserving their cultural heritage, and integrating them into the mainstream development process.
      • It emphasizes the need to bridge the gap between tribal populations and essential services while ensuring their socio-economic empowerment.
  • Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra:
    • The focus of the Yatra will be on reaching out to people, creating awareness and providing benefits of welfare schemes like sanitation facilities, essential financial services, electricity connections, access to LPG cylinders, housing for the poor, food security, proper nutrition, reliable healthcare, clean drinking water, etc.
    • Enrolment of potential beneficiaries will be done through details ascertained during the Yatra.
    • The Yatra will start from districts with significant tribal populations initially and will cover all districts across the country.
  • PM PVTG Mission:
    • The PM-PVTG Development Mission program aims to improve the socio-economic status of Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
      • For this, availability of Rs 24000 Crore for Scheduled Tribes has been envisaged in the Union Budget.
    • The mission includes providing basic facilities like safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, education, health and nutrition, better access to roads in settlements for backward scheduled tribes.

What are the Other Government Initiatives Related to Tribals?

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q.1 Consider the following pairs: (2013)

Tribe State
1. Limboo (Limbu) Sikkim
2. Karbi Himachal Pradesh
3. Dongaria Kondh Odisha
4. Bonda Tamil Nadu

Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (a)

Q.2 Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India: (2019)

  1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.
  2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.
  3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.
  4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 4
(d) 1, 3 and 4

Ans: (c)