The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has communicated to Parliament that its prominent programmes, the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), are significantly contributing to bridging infrastructure gaps and enhancing the socio-economic status of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) across India. This disclosure was made during the Monsoon Session of the Rajya Sabha, where the Ministry elaborated on the ongoing monitoring processes tied to these initiatives.

Progress Reports from West Bengal

The Ministry detailed advancements in West Bengal, highlighting the identification of three PVTGs—Birhor, Lodha, and Toto—across 428 villages. The PM Gati Shakti mobile application has been employed for habitation-level mapping, successfully covering 495 habitations and 19,991 households. This initiative showcases the government’s commitment to improving outreach within tribal communities, focusing on accurate data collection and analysis.

It was reported that all 3,372 sanctioned households in West Bengal have received electricity, marking a significant milestone in boosting living conditions for tribal families. Additionally, the government is striving for complete rural housing coverage, improved road connectivity, and enhanced Anganwadi infrastructure to support the community’s development further.

Furthermore, projects amounting to Rs 125.75 crore (Rs 12,574.70 lakh) have been sanctioned under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for the components of DAJGUA in West Bengal. These investments are anticipated to facilitate socio-economic improvements for the tribal population in the region.

Livelihood Generation Efforts

On the topic of livelihood generation, the Ministry mentioned the role of the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), which has successfully operationalised 3,406 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) throughout the nation. These centres have collectively generated approximately Rs 174 crore through the sale of value-added forest products, representing a successful approach to enhancing income for tribal communities.

Specific attention was given to Tripura, where 80 out of 87 sanctioned VDVKs are functioning, recording value-added sales amounting to Rs 113.85 lakh. In Tamil Nadu, 34 VDVKs are benefitting the Irula tribal community by promoting the value addition of various minor forest products such as wild honey, spices, and tamarind, achieving total sales of Rs 75.89 lakh.

Educational Advancements

In the realm of education, the Ministry disclosed that 479 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) are currently operational, catering to a cumulative enrolment of 1,38,336 students. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance educational access and quality for tribal students.

Moreover, scholarships through the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Top Class Education Scheme, National Fellowship for Scheduled Tribes (NFST), and the Overseas Scholarship Scheme are being efficiently disbursed via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. Such measures aim to bolster educational opportunities for tribal students and ensure that financial support reaches intended beneficiaries without delays.

Lastly, an online monitoring framework that integrates with the Public Finance Management System (PFMS) has been established to oversee allocations under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST). This initiative is designed to enhance transparency in fund allocation, mitigate the risk of fund diversion, and ensure that resources are utilised effectively across various central ministries.

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