PM launches mission for most backward of the Scheduled Tribes

PM launches mission for most backward of the Scheduled Tribes

Subject: Schemes

Section: Tribal

Context:

• Prime Minister of India launched the PM-PVTG Development Mission for most backward of the Scheduled Tribes.

 What is the PM PVTG Development Mission?

• The Rs 24,000-crore project is aimed at the development of the PVTGs.
• As part of the mission, basic facilities will be provided to areas where these tribal groups live as these are mostly remote, scattered and inaccessible such as: road and telecom connectivity, electricity, safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
• Several ministries will work in tandem to implement development projects.
• The schemes include: Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, etc.
• The mission will be launched as part of ‘Reaching The Last Mile’, one of the seven Saptarishi priorities enlisted in the Union Budget 2023-24.
• The PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan is meant to ensure last-mile welfare scheme delivery and protection for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Who are Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups?

• PVTGs are a more vulnerable group among tribal groups in India.
• These groups have: primitive traits, geographical isolation, low literacy, zero to negative population growth rate and backwardness.
• They are largely dependent upon hunting for food and a pre-agriculture level of technology.
• PVTGs also collect Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) like honey, gum, bamboo and wax for consumption as well as sale.
• Due to their diet, these tribes often suffer diseases like anaemia, malaria, gastrointestinal disorders and skin infections.
• Government of India created PVTG list with the purpose of enabling improvement in the conditions of those communities in priority basis.
• During the fourth Five Year Plan a sub-category was created within Scheduled Tribes to identify groups that considered to be at a lower level of development.
• This was created based on the Dhebar Commission report and other studies.
• This sub-category was named “Primitive tribal group”.
• Groups that satisfied any one of the criterion were considered as PTG.
• There are total of 75 PVTGs in India.
• No new group was declared as PTG on the basis of the 2001 census.
• In 2006 the government of India renamed “Primitive tribal group” as Particularly vulnerable tribal group.
• Criteria for identifiaction of PVTGs: Pre-agricultural level of technology,  Low level of literacy, Economic backwardness, A declining or stagnant population.
• The government of India initiated the identification of these PVTGs in 1975, and an additional 23 groups were added to the category in 1993.

Need for identification:

• Due to their vulnerability, PVTGs require greater support and development compared to other tribal groups.
• The more developed and assertive tribal groups often receive a larger portion of tribal development funds, leaving PVTGs in need of more targeted support.
• According to the 2011 Census, Odisha has the largest population of PVTGs.
• It is followed by Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh (including Telangana).
• The largest PVTG is Odisha’s Saura community.