PM Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan | 23 Sep 2024

Source: PIB 

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA) for improving the socio-economic condition of tribal communities. 

What are the Key Facts About the PMJUGA? 

• About PMJUGA: It is a centrally sponsored scheme for the welfare of tribal families in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts. 
• Target Areas and Coverage: It will cover 549 districts and 2,740 blocks spread across all tribal majority villages across 30 States/UTs. 
  • It will cover around 63,000 villages benefitting more than 5 crore tribal people. 
  • According to the 2011 Census, India has a Scheduled Tribe (ST) population of 10.42 crore (8.6%), consisting of over 705 tribal communities. 
• Objective: It envisions fulfilling critical gaps in social infrastructure like health, education, livelihood, through different schemes of Government of India by convergence and outreach. 
• Goals of the Mission: It comprises 25 interventions which will be implemented by 17  ministries through funds allocated to them under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) in the next 5 years to achieve the following goals. 
  • Developing Enabling Infrastructure:  
    • Pucca house for Eligible Households with Other Entitlements: Eligible ST households shall have access to pucca housing under the PMAY (Rural) with availability of tapped water (Jal Jeevan Mission) and electricity supply. Eligible ST households shall also have access to Ayushman Bharat Card (PMJAY). 
    • Improving Village Infrastructure: Ensuring all weather road connectivity to ST majority villages (PMGSY), providing access to mobile connectivity  (Bharat Net) and internet, infrastructure for improving health, nutrition, and education (National Health Mission, Samagra Shiksha and Poshan Abhiyan). 
  • Promotion of Economic Empowerment: It focuses on skill development, entrepreneurship promotion and enhanced livelihood (self-employment) through providing access to training (Skill India Mission), marketing support from the Tribal Multipurpose Marketing Centre (TMMC) and assistance in agriculture, animal husbandry, and fishery sectors for Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA) patta holders. 
  • Universalisation of Access to Quality Education: Efforts will be made to increase the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in school and higher education and make quality education affordable and accessible to ST students (Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan) by setting up tribal hostels in schools at district/block level. 
  • Healthy lives and Dignified Ageing: It aims to reach towards the national standards in IMR, MMR and coverage of immunisation through Mobile Medical Units in areas where the sub centre is more than 10 km in plain areas and 5 kms in Hilly areas. 
• Mapping and Monitoring: The tribal villages covered under the mission would be mapped on PM Gati Shakti Portal with the gaps identified by the concerned ministry for its scheme specific requirements and the best performing districts will be awarded.

What are the Innovative Schemes to Promote Livelihood amongst Tribals under PMJUGA? 

• Tribal Home Stay: To boost tourism in tribal areas and provide alternative livelihoods, the Ministry of Tourism will promote 1,000 homestays under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.  
  • Villages with tourist potential will receive funding for 5-10 homestays, with each household eligible for Rs 5 lakh to build two new rooms, up to Rs 3 lakh for renovating existing rooms, and Rs 5 lakh for community needs. 
• Sustainable Livelihood for Forest Right Holders: The mission places a special focus on 22 lakh Forest Rights Act, 2006 patta holders in forest areas. It aims to expedite the recognition of forest rights, empower tribal communities, and provide sustainable livelihoods through various governmental schemes. 
• Improving infrastructure of Govt residential Schools and Hostels: The initiative includes improving the infrastructure of tribal residential schools, hostels, and ashram schools to enhance local educational resources, promote enrollment, and retain students in these institutions. 
• Advanced facilities for diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease: Centre of Competence (CoC) would be set up in AIIMS and premier Institutes in the States where Sickle cell disease is prevalent. 
  • CoC shall have the latest facilities, technology, personnel and research capabilities for prenatal diagnosis, at a cost of Rs 6 crore/CoC. 
• Tribal Multipurpose Marketing Centre (TMMCs): 100 TMMCs will be set up for effective marketing of tribal products and for improving marketing infrastructure, awareness, branding, packaging, and transportation facilities. 

What is the Need of PMJUGA? 

• Poverty: Tribal communities often live in poverty, with limited access to resources. The erstwhile Planning Commission estimated that the percentage of ST individuals living below the poverty line was 45.3% (2011-12) in rural areas and 24.1% (2011-12) in urban areas. 
  • Under PMJUGA, Skilling Centers will be opened in tribal districts for employment generation and reduction in poverty. 
• Land Rights and Displacement: Many tribal communities face displacement due to development projects, mining, and deforestation. The tribal population often lacks formal land titles, leading to insecure tenure and exploitation. 
  • PMJUGA will issue 22 lakh FRA pattas under Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 in recognition of their land rights.  
• Low Literacy Rate: Literacy rates among tribal populations are significantly lower than the national average. 
  • As per Census 2011, literacy rate of Scheduled Tribes (STs) was 59% whereas the overall literacy rate was 73% at all India level. 
  • 1000 hostels will be constructed under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) for affordable education. 
• Health Issues: As per the recent report of National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21, the prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight among tribal children is 40.9%, 23.2% and 39.5% respectively. It is significantly higher than the national average of 35.5%, 19.3% and 32.1%. 
  • High incidence of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is also seen among the tribal people. 
  • The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will provide Mobile Medical Units under the National Health Mission. 
• Cultural Erosion and Identity: Many tribal communities struggle to maintain their traditional practices amidst external pressures like rapid urbanisation and globalisation. 
  • Under Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana, model villages will be created while preserving cultural identity. 
• Lack of Awareness about Government Schemes: Despite their poverty, many tribal people are largely unaware of BPL cards, ration cards, or job cards for 100-day employment schemes. As a consequence, they remain deprived from such benefits. 
  • The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology will promote various Digital India initiatives for awareness generation.

What are the Other Government Initiatives for Scheduled Tribes? 

• PM-Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) Scheme 
• TRIFED 
• Digital Transformation of Tribal Schools 
• Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups 
• Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana 
• Eklavya Model Residential Schools 

Conclusion

The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA) aims to uplift tribal communities through sustainable development, enhancing infrastructure, livelihoods, and access to services. By promoting skill development and self-sufficiency, it seeks to improve education, healthcare, and overall quality of life, bridging the development gap and empowering tribal voices in India.