Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to launch the initiative on October 2
Shri G.S. Kesharwani, Deputy Director
Shri Anand Prakash Solanki, Assistant Director
Raipur 01 October 2024// Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will launch Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan)—a mega campaign aimed at enhancing facilities and promoting holistic development for tribal families in tribal-dominated villages across the country—on October 2 from Jharkhand. This initiative includes improvements in village infrastructure, economic empowerment, and enhancements in education and health standards, targeting 63,000 tribal-dominated villages nationwide.
In a recent Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shri Modi, the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan was approved to uplift the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities by adopting a comprehensive approach for tribal families in these areas. A budget of Rs 79,156 crore has been allocated for the swift implementation of this extensive campaign, which will be executed in collaboration with both Central and State Governments.
Tribal communities comprises nearly 32 per cent of Chhattisgarh’s population. For the successful implementation of this campaign, as many as 6,691 tribal-dominated villages across 138 development blocks in 32 districts have been selected. The initiative will not only focus on developing essential facilities but also promote social and economic progress in these communities. Necessary guidelines have been provided to relevant departments in Chhattisgarh to ensure the effective rollout of this ambitious mission aimed at integrating tribal areas into the broader development framework.
Prime Minister Shri Modi is set to launch this scheme at a function in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, on October 2. ‘Lakhpati Didi’ Mankunwar Bai and her family from Jashpur district, Chhattisgarh, will have the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister during the event. Shri Modi will address a state-level programme virtually, which will take place in Rajpur, Balrampur-Ramanujganj district, attended by Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai and other special guests.
The objective of the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan is to address critical gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihoods through various Government of India schemes. The aim is to ensure holistic and sustainable development of tribal areas and communities, drawing from the successes of the PM-JANMAN Yojana. As announced in the Union Budget, this initiative will cover a total of 63,000 villages in tribal-dominated areas, benefiting over five crore tribals. The campaign will include villages in 549 tribal-dominated districts across 2,740 blocks in 30 states and union territories. This mission comprises 25 programmes, to be implemented by 17 ministries, with each department tasked with executing the scheme in a time-bound manner over the next five years, utilizing the funds allocated under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes.
Infrastructure development
Under the mission, eligible Scheduled Tribe families will receive pucca houses equipped with tap water and electricity supply through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural). These families will also be connected with the Ayushman Bharat card, ensuring access to healthcare services. In addition, roads will be constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana to improve all-weather connectivity to tribal-dominated villages. Mobile connectivity and internet facilities will be established through the Bharat Net project. The initiative will also focus on strengthening infrastructure to improve health, nutrition, and education in these communities.
Economic empowerment
The initiative will also include the provision of training for tribal students in long-term skill courses after 10th and 12th grade every year. Besides, marketing assistance will be offered through the Tribal Multipurpose Marketing Centre. Support for agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries will also be extended to Forest Rights Act (FRA) lease holders.
Education and Health
The mission aims to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio in school and higher education to match national levels, ensuring quality education for tribal students by establishing tribal hostels in schools at the district and block levels. Besides, it will focus on improving access to quality health facilities for tribal families, striving to meet national standards for infant and maternal mortality rates. Vaccination services will be provided through mobile medical units in areas where health sub-centers are located more than 10 km away in plains and over five km in hilly regions.
