Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA): Empowering Tribal Communities

The Union Cabinet has approved the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA), a comprehensive mission aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities in India. This ambitious initiative comes with a total outlay of Rs. 79,156 crore to be implemented over a period of five years.

Core Objectives:

1. Improve socio-economic conditions of tribal communities
2. Adopt saturation coverage for tribal families in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts
3. Address critical gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihoods
4. Ensure holistic and sustainable development of tribal areas and communities

Scope and Coverage

The PM-JUGA has an extensive reach, targeting:

• 63,000 villages
• Benefiting over 5 crore tribal people
• Spanning 549 districts and 2,740 blocks
• Covering 30 states and Union Territories

This mission is particularly significant given India’s substantial tribal population:

• 10.45 crore Scheduled Tribe (ST) population (Census 2011)
• Over 700 ST communities
• 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) across 18 states and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Implementation Strategy

1. Multi-ministerial Approach: The mission comprises 25 interventions to be implemented by 17 line ministries.
2. Funding: Utilizes funds allocated under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST).
3. Mapping: Tribal villages covered under the Abhiyan will be mapped on the PM Gati Shakti Portal.
4. Recognition: Best-performing districts will be awarded.

Key Mission Goals

Goal 1: Developing Enabling Infrastructure

• Provide pucca housing under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-Gramin)
• Ensure access to tapped water (Jal Jeevan Mission) and electricity (Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme)
• Distribute Ayushman Bharat Cards (PMJAY)
• Improve all-weather road connectivity (PMGSY)
• Enhance mobile and internet connectivity (Bharat Net)

Goal 2: Promotion of Economic Empowerment

• Promote skill development and entrepreneurship
• Provide marketing support through Tribal Multipurpose Marketing Centres (TMMC)
• Support agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries for Forest Rights Act (FRA) Patta holders

Goal 3: Universalization of Access to Good Education

• Increase Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) to national levels in school and higher education
• Establish tribal hostels in schools at district/block levels

Goal 4: Healthy Lives and Dignified Ageing

• Improve access to quality healthcare
• Aim to meet national standards in IMR, MMR, and immunization coverage
• Deploy Mobile Medical Units in underserved areas

Innovative Schemes under PM-JUGA

• Tribal Home Stay: Promote 1000 homestays under Swadesh Darshan

1. ₹5 lakh for new two-room homestays
2. ₹3 lakh for renovating existing structures
3. ₹5 lakh for village community requirements

• Sustainable Livelihood for Forest Right Holders: Focus on 22 lakh FRA patta holders
• Improving Infrastructure of Government Residential Schools and Hostels: Upgrade on the lines of PM-Shri Schools
• Advanced Facilities for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Diagnosis: Emphasize pre-natal diagnosis and disease prevention
• Tribal Multipurpose Marketing Centre (TMMC): Establish 100 TMMCs to ensure fair prices for tribal produce