The Ministry of Tribal Affairs hosted a pivotal All-India Convention at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi on May 16, 2025, to review and accelerate the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) saturation campaign. The day-long event, attended by senior officials from the Tribal Welfare Departments of 18 States and Union Territories (UTs), as well as representatives from nine collaborating ministries, underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring comprehensive development for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Led by Shri Vibhu Nayar, Secretary of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the convention focused on achieving 100 per cent saturation of critical interventions under PM-JANMAN, aligning with the vision of Viksit Gaon, Viksit Bharat (Developed Villages, Developed India).
Mission for Inclusive Tribal Welfare
Launched on November 15, 2023, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commemorate Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, PM-JANMAN is a flagship initiative aimed at uplifting the socio-economic conditions of 75 PVTG communities across 18 states and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. With a budget of Rs 24,104 crore (Rs 15,336 crore from the central government and Rs 8,768 crore from states) allocated over three years (2023-24 to 2025-26), the program targets 11 critical interventions to bridge developmental gaps in remote tribal areas. These include safe housing, clean drinking water, healthcare, education, road and telecom connectivity, and sustainable livelihoods, all designed to integrate PVTGs into the mainstream while preserving their cultural heritage.
The convention in New Delhi served as a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of PM-JANMAN and address implementation challenges. Shri Nayar emphasised the urgency of completing physical infrastructure and operationalising essential services to achieve full saturation. He urged states to leverage their respective schemes to complement PM-JANMAN interventions and set specific targets for each component. “Our goal is to ensure that no PVTG household or habitation is left behind,” Nayar stated, announcing that monthly review meetings will be held to monitor progress and maintain momentum.
Key Discussions and Strategic Focus Areas
The convention featured brainstorming sessions to identify bottlenecks and devise solutions for swift, mission-mode implementation. Participants, including Additional Chief Secretaries and Secretaries from state Tribal Welfare Departments, engaged in discussions to align efforts across ministries and states. A key outcome was the recognition of the need for a structured, multi-level review mechanism within states, with convergence between departments replicated at the village level to ensure seamless service delivery.
The meeting spotlighted several critical interventions under PM-JANMAN, with specific targets outlined to achieve saturation by 2026:
• Multi-Purpose Centers (MPCs): Completion and operationalisation of MPCs to provide integrated services, including health, Anganwadi facilities, and skilling programs. As of January 2025, over 850 MPCs have been sanctioned.
• Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs): Commencement of business activities in all VDVKs to promote sustainable livelihoods through the trade of forest produce. The Ministry aims to operationalise 405 VDVKs, with training and toolkit distribution underway.
• Pucca Houses: Sanctioning and physical completion of 4.9 lakh pucca houses under the PM-AWAS scheme, with 226,064 already sanctioned and 19,788 completed. Essential documentation, such as Aadhaar and caste certificates, is being prioritised to ensure eligibility.
• Road Connectivity: Sanctioning of roads to address gaps in PVTG habitations and timely completion of 2,746.17 km of ongoing road projects to improve access to remote areas.
• Anganwadi Centers (AWCs): Operationalisation of 2,500 AWCs, with 916 already sanctioned, and monitoring of footfall to ensure early childhood care and nutrition services reach PVTG communities.
• Mobile Medical Units (MMUs): Strengthening healthcare delivery through 578 MMUs, equipped with GPS and other technological tools for real-time monitoring. Approximately 600 units have been sanctioned to date.
• PVTG Hostels: Sanctioning and construction of 500 hostels to enhance educational access, with 190 already approved.
• Electrification: Providing on-grid or off-grid solutions to electrify 123,530 unelectrified PVTG households, with over 70,000 houses targeted in the first phase.
• Tap Water Supply: Ensuring saturation of villages with 290,676 tap water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
• Mobile Towers: Installation of mobile towers in over 2,100 habitations to improve telecom connectivity in remote areas.
• Skilling and Livelihoods: Facilitating vocational training through the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to promote sustainable livelihoods tailored to PVTG skills.
Addressing Implementation Challenges
The convention acknowledged several challenges, including data inaccuracies due to the lack of a dedicated PVTG census since 1951, which complicates planning. Baseline surveys are ongoing, but results are not yet public, prompting calls for a Human Development Index for PVTGs to better assess needs. Additionally, the involvement of multiple ministries risks overlapping mandates, necessitating stronger coordination. Concerns were also raised about potential ecological and cultural impacts, such as road construction affecting natural resources or modernisation eroding traditional knowledge. To mitigate these, PM-JANMAN adopts a participatory, bottom-up approach, involving PVTGs in decision-making to ensure culturally sensitive interventions.
Shri Nayar stressed the importance of technology in overcoming logistical barriers. For instance, GPS-enabled MMUs will enhance healthcare monitoring, while the PM-GatiShakti portal, despite initial delays in housing sanctions, is being streamlined to expedite approvals. A nationwide Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign, launched in August-September 2024, has reached 44.6 lakh individuals across 28,700 habitations to raise awareness and ensure documentation saturation.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Outlook
The convention highlighted the collaborative framework of PM-JANMAN, with nine ministries—Rural Development, Women and Child Development, Health, Education, Power, Jal Shakti, Skill Development, Tribal Affairs, and Ayush—working in tandem with state governments. This inter-ministerial convergence aims to maximise resource utilisation and adapt existing schemes to PVTG needs.
Minister of Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram, who addressed a related District Magistrates’ Conference on January 21, 2025, emphasised the pivotal role of district-level officers in driving implementation. Minister of State Shri Durgadas Uikey urged states to prioritise community participation to align with the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed India.
As PM-JANMAN enters its final year, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is intensifying efforts to achieve saturation. The convention’s outcomes will guide monthly reviews, ensuring accountability and progress tracking. Initiatives like the revival of 1,000 springs in tribal areas and pilot projects for VDVKs in states like Andhra Pradesh and Odisha reflect innovative approaches to sustainable development.
A Step Toward Inclusive Growth
The All-India Convention marked a significant milestone in the PM-JANMAN saturation campaign, reinforcing the government’s commitment to social justice and inclusive growth. By addressing the unique challenges faced by PVTGs—low literacy, economic backwardness, and geographic isolation—the Abhiyan aims to transform 23,000 villages into models of development. With continued collaboration and rigorous monitoring, PM-JANMAN is poised to uplift over 40 lakh individuals, paving the way for a more equitable and prosperous India.
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