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:
- Improve socio-economic conditions of tribal communities
- Adopt saturation coverage for tribal families in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts
- Address critical gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihoods
- 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
- Multi-ministerial Approach: The mission comprises 25 interventions to be implemented by 17 line ministries.
- Funding: Utilizes funds allocated under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST).
- Mapping: Tribal villages covered under the Abhiyan will be mapped on the PM Gati Shakti Portal.
- 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
- ₹5 lakh for new two-room homestays
- ₹3 lakh for renovating existing structures
- ₹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