Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)

The Union government is now looking to design a survey that can gauge the Human Development Index (HDI) specifically for about 28 lakh people of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

• According to the 2011 Census, the Scheduled Tribes account for 104 million representing 8.6% of the country’s population.
• These Scheduled Tribes are spread throughout the country largely in forest and hilly regions.
• The essential characteristics of these communities are:
  • Primitive Traits
  • Geographical isolation
  • Distinct culture
  • Shy of contact with community at large
  • Economically backwards
• Government of India set up Ministry of Tribal Affairs in 1999 after the bifurcation of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
  • Objective: To provide a more focused approach towards the integrated socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes (the most underprivileged section of the Indian Society) in a coordinated and planned manner.
• As in the case of the Scheduled Castes, the Plan objective of empowering the tribals is being achieved through a three-pronged strategy of:
  • Social empowerment,
  • Economic empowerment,
  • Social justice.

What is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)?

• PVTGs are more vulnerable among the tribal groups.
  • Due to this factor, more developed and assertive tribal groups take a major chunk of the tribal development funds, because of which PVTGs need more funds directed for their development.
• In this context, in 1975, the Government of India declared 52 tribal groups as PVTGs on the recommendation of Dhebar commission.
  • Currently, there are 75 PVTGs out of 705 Scheduled Tribes.
• The PVTGs are spread over 18 states and one Union Territory (UT), in the country (2011 census).
  • Odisha has the highest number (more than 2.5 lakh) of PVTGs.
• Characteristics of PVTGs:
  • Population – stagnant/declining
  • Technology – pre-agricultural
  • Literacy Level – extremely low
  • Economy – Subsistence level

Government Scheme(s) for PVTGs

• Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements a scheme in the name of 'Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)'.
• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme having a provision of 100% Central assistance to 18 states and Union territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• The scheme of Development of PVTGs aims at socio-economic development of PVTGs in a comprehensive manner, while retaining their culture and heritage.
• As a part of the scheme, State Governments undertakes projects that are tailored to cater to sectors like education, health and livelihood schemes for the PVTGs.

Summary

• Recently, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Arjun Munda addressed media persons on 9 year achievements and Transformational initiatives of the Ministry.
• He said that development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in mission mode has been taken up as focus area for the first time ever.
• The Ministry is now looking to design a survey that can gauge the Human Development Index (HDI) specifically for about 28 lakh people of the PVTGs.
• A fund of Rs 15,000 crore has been allocated for the socio-economic development of the group for the next three years.
  • The programme envisions connecting all 22,544 PVTG villages to basic government services like communications, electricity, public education, healthcare, water supply, and connectivity.
  • It is part of this programme that Sh Arjun Munda said the survey to create an HDI for PVTGs will be conducted.
  • “With a holistic approach, we will document their lifestyle, their culture, so that we can show the world as to how they proudly and happily live their lives despite being in remote regions,” said the Minister.
• Giving details of the strides made in the education of tribal people, Sh Arjun Munda said that the Government is setting up 740 Eklavya Residential Model Schools(EMRS) which will serve 3.5 lakh tribal students with quality education.
  • Over the next three years, 38,800 teachers and support staff will be recruited centrally for the 740 EMRSs.
  • These schools will also lay emphasis on local languages to ensure that the students are not detached from their roots, he added.
• In 2023-24, a budget of Rs 12,460 Crores has been allocated to the Ministry.

On the Occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (15^th November) the Prime Minister (PM) has launched three key Initiatives to ensure last-mile welfare scheme delivery and protection for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

• The PM launched ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’, Pradhan Mantri Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PM PVTG) Development Mission and Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan.

What is Janjatiya Gaurav Divas?

• The Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is celebrated every year on the Birth Anniversary of Birsa Munda, to recognize the efforts of the tribals in the preservation of cultural heritage and promotion of Indian values of national pride, valour, and hospitality.
• Tribals held several tribal movements across different regions of India against the British colonial rule. These tribal communities include Tamars, Santhals, Khasis Bhils,Mizos, and Kols to name a few.

What are these Key Initiatives?

• PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN):
  • About: PM JANMAN aims to protect and nurture tribal groups, especially those on the verge of extinction, by providing them with necessary support, development, and connectivity to mainstream services and opportunities.
  • Coverage: The initiative covers 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) residing in 18 states and union territories, spread across 22,544 villages in 220 districts.
    • Approximately 28 lakh people belong to these identified tribal groups.
  • Significance: PM JANMAN underscores the government's commitment to uplifting and safeguarding tribal communities, preserving their cultural heritage, and integrating them into the mainstream development process.
    • It emphasizes the need to bridge the gap between tribal populations and essential services while ensuring their socio-economic empowerment.
• Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra:
  • The focus of the Yatra will be on reaching out to people, creating awareness and providing benefits of welfare schemes like sanitation facilities, essential financial services, electricity connections, access to LPG cylinders, housing for the poor, food security, proper nutrition, reliable healthcare, clean drinking water, etc.
  • Enrolment of potential beneficiaries will be done through details ascertained during the Yatra.
  • The Yatra will start from districts with significant tribal populations initially and will cover all districts across the country.
• PM PVTG Mission:
  • The PM-PVTG Development Mission program aims to improve the socio-economic status of Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
    • For this, availability of Rs 24000 Crore for Scheduled Tribes has been envisaged in the Union Budget.
  • The mission includes providing basic facilities like safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, education, health and nutrition, better access to roads in settlements for backward scheduled tribes.

Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra (Social Issues)

On the occasion of the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas on November 15 in 2023, Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra was launched from Jharkhand.

• It is one of the largest ever outreach initiative to be undertaken.
• Aim – To reach out to people to spread public awareness about government’s welfare schemes at the grass root level.
• Target – To cover over 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayats and over 3,600 urban local bodies (ULB) by 25th January 2024 touching every district of the country.
• Implementation – It follows ‘whole of Government’ approach involving active participation of the State Governments, District authorities, Urban Local Bodies and Gram Panchayats.
• IEC Vans – Information, Education and Communication (IEC) vans have been branded and customized
  • To enable dissemination of information through audio visuals, brochures, pamphlets, booklets and flagship standees
  • In Hindi and state languages
  • Showcasing the major schemes, highlights and their achievements at national, state and district level.
• Address specific concerns of Tribal areas – Like sickle cell anaemia elimination mission, enrolment in eklavya model residential schools, scholarship schemes, forest right titles, van dhan vikas Kendra and organising Self Help Groups.
• Activities undertaken
  • Experience sharing by beneficiaries and interaction with progressive farmers.
  • Celebration of achievements of Gram Panchayats achieving 100% saturation of schemes like Ayushman Card, Jal Jeevan Mission, Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, ODF Plus status.
  • On the spot quiz competitions, drone demonstration, health camps, Mera Yuva Bharat volunteer enrolment and other activities.