Centre asks states to wrap up household survey by April-end, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• The Centre has directed states to complete the household survey of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) by April-end.
• The survey aims to identify gaps in the delivery of central and state schemes to PVTG households and provide entitlement cards.
• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has requested states to prepare for the survey rollout, with financial assistance provided per household.
• An estimated 12.35 lakh PVTG households across 18 states and Andaman & Nicobar Islands will be surveyed using a special app.

Detailed Insights:

• The survey seeks to create a digital database of entitlements received or pending for PVTG households, including old age pension, disability assistance, and Ayushman cards.
• PVTG status is given to Scheduled Tribes with declining populations, geographical isolation, pre-agrarian practices, and low literacy.
• The survey coincides with the Tribal Affairs Ministry's request to include PVTGs in the upcoming national census.
• The Centre is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan with an outlay of Rs 24,104 crore through nine line ministries.
• The Abhiyan includes interventions like rural roads, piped water, electrification, pucca houses, and mobile towers, replacing the Development of PVTGs scheme.
• A previous survey estimated 47.5 lakh PVTGs in India, with the highest concentration in Madhya Pradesh (13.22 lakh), followed by Maharashtra (6.7 lakh) and Andhra Pradesh (5.18 lakh).

Key Concepts Involved:

• PVTGs: Most vulnerable among Scheduled Tribes, needing specific interventions.
• Entitlement Card: Document listing welfare benefits received or due to a household.
• Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan: Central scheme for the development of PVTGs.