PM-JUGA Scheme

The Union Cabinet has approved the PM Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan to enhance the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities across India. This initiative aims to bring convergent governance, ensuring comprehensive development in tribal-dominated areas by integrating multiple government schemes.

The PM Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at uplifting Scheduled Tribes (STs) by enhancing infrastructure, education, health, and livelihoods in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts. It follows a multi-ministerial approach, integrating existing welfare programs to address critical gaps in social infrastructure. Aligned with the objectives of tribal empowerment, it complements initiatives like the PM JANMAN Scheme, where the Ministry of Tribal Affairs plays a key role. 

The PM Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan aims to enhance the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities by ensuring saturation coverage for tribal families in villages with a majority ST population and aspirational districts.

Key Highlights:

• Target Population: India has a Scheduled Tribe population of 10.45 crore (Census 2011), comprising over 705 tribal communities.
• Financial Outlay: The scheme has a total budget of ₹79,156 crore, with ₹56,333 crore as the central share.
• Coverage: It will benefit over 5 crore tribal people across 63,000 villages in 549 districts spanning 30 States/UTs.
• Implementation: The scheme includes 25 interventions executed by 17-line ministries under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) over the next five years. Progress will be mapped and monitored using the PM Gati Shakti platform for effective tracking.
• Approach: It exemplifies cooperative federalism and a whole-of-government approach, ensuring coordinated efforts for tribal upliftment.

Four Key Goals of the Mission:

1. Infrastructure Development: Providing pucca houses for households and enhancing village infrastructure.
2. Economic Empowerment: Promoting skill development, entrepreneurship, and self-employment opportunities.
3. Education Access: Ensuring universal access to quality education for tribal communities.
4. Health & Dignified Living: Improving healthcare services and ensuring dignified ageing for tribal populations.

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Developing Enabling Infrastructure

• Pucca Housing: Eligible households will receive houses under PMAY (Rural) with tapped water (Jal Jeevan Mission) and electricity.
• Village Connectivity: Ensuring all-weather road access (PMGSY), mobile connectivity (Bharat Net), and digital infrastructure.
• Essential Services: Strengthening healthcare (National Health Mission), nutrition (Poshan Abhiyan), and education (Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan).

Economic Empowerment and Livelihood Support

• Skill Development & Entrepreneurship: Training through Skill India Mission, market linkages via Tribal Multipurpose Marketing Centre (TMMC).
• Agriculture & Animal Husbandry: Support for Forest Rights Act (FRA) patta holders in agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries.

Access to Quality Education

• Increasing Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in schools and higher education.
• Establishing Tribal Hostels: 1,000 hostels under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan to make education affordable and accessible.

Healthcare and Dignified Ageing

• Reduction in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) & Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) through mobile medical units.
• Addressing Sickle Cell Disease (SCD): Establishing Centres of Competence (CoC) in AIIMS and other institutions for advanced diagnosis and treatment.

Mapping and Monitoring for Accountability

• All tribal villages will be mapped on the PM Gati Shakti Portal for tracking development gaps.
• Best-performing districts will be awarded for effective implementation.

Tribal Home Stay Scheme

• Objective: Boost tourism in tribal areas and create alternative livelihoods.
• Implementation:
  • 1,000 homestays to be developed under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
  • Villages with tourism potential to receive funding for 5-10 homestays.
• Financial assistance:
  • ₹5 lakh for new room construction.
  • ₹3 lakh for renovation.
  • ₹5 lakh for community infrastructure.

Sustainable Livelihood for FRA Patta Holders

• Recognizing 22 lakh FRA pattas to empower tribal communities and ensure sustainable livelihoods.
• Special focus on agriculture, animal husbandry, and minor forest produce.

Infrastructure Development for Tribal Schools & Hostels

• Upgrading tribal residential schools, hostels, and ashram schools to promote enrollment and retention.

Establishment of Tribal Multipurpose Marketing Centres (TMMCs)

• 100 TMMCs to be set up to improve marketing infrastructure, branding, and packaging of tribal products.

Poverty in Tribal Communities

• As per 2011-12 data, 45.3% of STs in rural areas and 24.1% in urban areas were below the poverty line.
• PM Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan will establish skill development centers for employment generation and poverty reduction.

Land Rights and Displacement

• Many tribal communities face displacement due to mining, deforestation, and infrastructure projects.
• 22 lakh FRA pattas to be issued under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, securing land tenure.

Low Literacy Rates

• ST literacy rate (59%) is significantly lower than the national average (73%) (Census 2011).
• 1,000 hostels under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan to improve access to education.

Health Challenges

• Malnutrition: 40.9% tribal children suffer from stunting, 23.2% from wasting, and 39.5% are underweight (NFHS-5, 2019-21).
• High prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) among tribals.
• Mobile Medical Units will provide healthcare in remote tribal regions.

Cultural Erosion & Identity Preservation

• Urbanization and modernization threaten tribal heritage and identity.
• Model villages under Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana will preserve cultural traditions while ensuring modern amenities.

Awareness about Government Schemes

• Many tribal people are unaware of welfare schemes like BPL, ration cards, and employment programs.
• Digital India initiatives will be promoted to bridge the awareness gap.

• PM-JANMAN Scheme: Launched in November 2023, PM-JANMAN focuses on the holistic development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) by enhancing housing, education, healthcare, and livelihoods. 

• TRIFED: Under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, TRIFED fosters tribal entrepreneurship by supporting the marketing of tribal products through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, TRIBES India outlets, and digital platforms, ensuring fair prices for artisans and forest dwellers.

• Digital Transformation of Tribal Schools: This initiative modernizes Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and other tribal institutions by introducing smart classrooms, e-learning modules, and AI-driven tools, enhancing digital literacy and education quality. The government aims to establish 740 EMRS by 2026.

• Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY): Launched in 2018, PMVDY promotes tribal entrepreneurship in minor forest produce (MFP) processing through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs), enabling value addition and better market access for forest-based products. 

The PM Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan is a transformative initiative aimed at bridging developmental gaps in tribal regions through a holistic, multi-sectoral approach covering infrastructure, education, healthcare, and livelihoods. It fosters self-reliance and socio-economic inclusion for sustainable tribal empowerment.

What is National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)?

• NCST is a Constitutional body established under Article 338A by the 89^th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003.
• It is responsible for safeguarding the rights of the Scheduled Tribes in India.

Who notifies the Scheduled Tribes in India? 

• The STs are notified by the President under Article 342(1) of the Constitution.

Which is the largest tribe in India?

• Gond is the largest tribe of India with a population of 1.2 crore (2011 census).
• They are concentrated in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana & Jharkhand.

What is the PESA Act for Tribes?

• PESA Act refers to the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996.
• It empowers tribal communities by recognizing their customary rights & self-governance in Scheduled Areas under the Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

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