In a landmark move aimed at significantly improving the socio-economic status of tribal communities across India, Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, announced the launch of the ‘Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan’ during her presentation of the Union Budget 2024-25 in Parliament. This initiative is set to revolutionize tribal development with a focus on comprehensive coverage and support.
Objective and Scope of the Abhiyan
The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan aims to uplift tribal communities by ensuring an inclusive development strategy. The scheme will adopt a ‘saturation approach’ to ensure full coverage for tribal families residing in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts. The initiative will target 63,000 villages across the country, with an ambitious goal of benefiting 5 crore tribal individuals.
Budget Allocation and Increase
Reflecting the government’s commitment to tribal welfare, the budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has seen a substantial increase. The total outlay has risen to approximately ₹13,000 crore for the Union Budget 2024-25, marking a significant 73.60 percent increase compared to the Revised Estimate for 2023-24. This increase underscores the government’s dedication to enhancing the socio-economic conditions of Scheduled Tribes.
Historic Increase in DAPST Fund Allocation
The Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST), formerly known as the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), has witnessed a historic increase in fund allocation. The allocation for DAPST has surged nearly 5.8 times since 2013-14, escalating from ₹21,525.36 crore (actual expenditure) in 2013-14 to ₹1,24,908.00 crore in the Budget Estimates for 2024-25. This significant boost aims to support tribal development projects in various sectors, including education, health, agriculture, irrigation, roads, housing, electrification, employment generation, and skill development.
Role of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, acting as the nodal ministry, will spearhead the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan. The ministry is responsible for overall policy formulation, planning, and coordination of programs aimed at the development of Scheduled Tribes. The enhanced budget allocation will enable the ministry to effectively support and complement the efforts of other central ministries, state governments, and voluntary organizations in addressing critical gaps and advancing tribal welfare.
Impact and Future Outlook
The launch of the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan marks a significant step towards achieving social justice and economic equity for tribal communities. By covering a vast number of villages and directly benefiting millions of tribal individuals, the scheme aims to address longstanding socio-economic disparities and contribute to the overall development of Scheduled Tribes.
Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan represents a bold and comprehensive effort to uplift tribal communities, supported by a significant increase in funding and a strategic approach to development. The initiative is poised to make a lasting difference, paving the way for a more equitable and inclusive future for India’s tribal population.
