What does a special package mean for PVTGs
- Tribal Affairs Ministry told the Rajya Sabha that the population of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) was not in decline, citing information provided by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (ORGI)
- State-wise Census data from last year indicates a nearly 40% decline in PVTG populations in nine States and UTs
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
- It is defined by the government as tribal communities that show Declining or stagnant population, pre-agrarian technology, economic backwardness, low literacy
- Presence in 18 States and UTs, with 75 communities identified
- Highest concentration in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Gujarat
Pradhan Mantri-Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan
- Cabinet approval of ₹24,000 crore initiative to address development needs of PVTGs
- Aimed at providing basic facilities such as roads, power, homes, mobile connectivity, etc.
Implementation and Allocation
- Implementation through nine ministries
- Allocation: ₹24,104 crore, with central and state government shares
- More than ₹19,000 crore allocated for building homes and roads
Targets and Goals
- Development goals include pucca homes, connecting roads, piped water, mobile medical units, anganwadi centers, multipurpose centers, vocational training centers, Van Dhan Vikas Kendras.
Challenges and Lack of Data
- Lack of current and accurate data on PVTG populations
- Challenges in assessing needs of 22,000 PVTG villages
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs Budget Estimates for 2023-24 show ₹256.14 crore allocated for PVTG development
- Lack of recent Census data on PVTGs; last available data is from 2001
Recommendations and NAC Report
- National Advisory Council (NAC) report in 2013 recommended a specific Census for PVTG communities
- Absence of recent socio-economic data on PVTGs poses a challenge to effective implementation.