Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman presented her seventh straight budget on Tuesday, July 23, the most by any individual in Indian Parliament, surpassing the record of former Prime Minister Moraraji Desai.
The Finance minister while presenting the budget unveiled 9 priorities set by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government for Viksit Bharat (Developed India) while asserting that the government is determined to focus on four pillars i.e. Poor, Women, Youth and the Farmers as mentioned in the interim budget as well.
One of the highlight of the budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 includes the flagship “Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan” under which the FM proposed for improving the socio-economic condition of the tribal communities of Bharat.
The scheme underscores the commitment of the NDA government towards uplifting a large chunk of population who identified themselves as the tribal (Janjati/Vanvasi) community, residing mostly in the remote regions across the country.
The government through the scheme will adopt saturation coverage for tribal families in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts covering around 63000 villages of the country and benefitting 5 crore people of the tribal community.
आदिवासी समुदायों की सामाजिक-आर्थिक स्थिति में सुधार के लिए PM जनजातीय उन्नत ग्राम अभियान शुरू किया जाएगा।योजना आदिवासी-बहुल गांवों और आकांक्षी जिलों में आदिवासी परिवारों के लिए संतृप्ति कवरेज को अपनाएगी। इससे 63,000 गांवों को कवर किया जाएगा जिससे 5 करोड़ आदिवासी लोगों को लाभ होगा
— SansadTV (@sansad_tv) July 23, 2024
Welcoming the announcement made by the FM, the Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister, Vishnu Deo Sai termed it a significant step for the development of the tribal communities. “5 crore tribal people in 63000 villages will get benefits, this will improve the socio-economic condition of the tribal community of Chhattisgarh,” said CM Sai.
Vision 2047 for tribal development
Notably, the scheme has been announced on the heels of two-day ‘Manthan Shivir’ organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to undertake progress-review of various schemes for tribals and deliberate on “Vision 2047” and the 100-day action plan of the Ministry in the national capital.
In the Shivir held, the Tribal Affairs Ministry has asked the state authorities to chalk out a “Vision 2047” roadmap for tribal development alongside revamping flagship schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN), training facilities for teachers of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and awareness programmes on sickle disease on war footing.
Government commitment towards tribal’s upliftment
It must be noted that a number of similar schemes aimed at benefitting and improving the overall status of the tribal community have been launched under the 10-year regime of the consecutive National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The work done by the incumbent union government towards positively impacting the lives of around 9 per cent population of the country is also evident in its budget allocation for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs which has substantially increased from Rs 4295.94 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 12461 crore in 2023-24 a jump of around 190 per cent.
Earlier the government in December last year launched a mega scheme (PM JANMAN) with an allocation of Rs 24000 crore with an aim to reaching out around 75 tribal communities, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, identified under the of ‘Pradhan Mantri (PM PVTG) Development Mission.
The scheme was initiated to provide with facilities such as road and telecom connectivity, electricity, safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition and sustainable livelihood opportunities to around 28 lakhs people residing in scattered, remote and inaccessible habitation across around 22,500 villages (220 districts) under 18 States & UTs.
Celebrating tribal heroes
The scheme was launched on the occasion of Janjatiye Gaurav Divas, which was too commenced by the NDA government to commemorate the birth anniversary of revered tribal hero, Bhagwan Birsa Munda on November 15th every year.
Bhagwan Birsa Munda's struggles and sacrifices inspire countless Indians. pic.twitter.com/KC2oh3ViyO
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 15, 2023
Other than the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, the government is also working to establish a number of museums linked to tribal heroes across the country who sacrificed their lives in the freedom struggle.
Additionally, the government had already announced that it will ensured separate saturation for PMJAY, Sickle Cell Disease Elimination, TB Elimination, 100% immunization, PM Surakshit Matritva Yojana, PM Matru Vandana Yojana, PM Poshan, PM Jan Dhan Yojana and others schemes for tribal community.
A number of other schemes such as scholarship and startup schemes for ST youths, minimum support price for forest produce, marketing support for tribal products under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Jatiya Vikas Mission, financial aid to Voluntary Organizations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes for projects in education, health and livelihood and others are also being run and encouraged by the government, indicating its firm resolve to welfare of the tribal society.
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