New Delhi, June 12 (IANS). The ‘Antyodaya’ mantra of the government has succeeded in bringing India’s most backward and deprived communities into the mainstream of inclusive development, with the aim of ensuring that those who were till now left behind in the race for development are brought to the center of opportunity and progress. This information was given in an official fact sheet released on Friday.
The fact sheet states that these efforts were taken forward through the Rs 24,104 crore Pradhan Mantri Tribal Justice Maha Abhiyan (PM Janman) scheme. The scheme is specifically designed for the Most Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). These are among the most isolated and backward communities in India, many of whom were deprived of even basic amenities like permanent houses, clean drinking water, electricity and roads.
The government had launched the PM Janman Yojana in November 2023 to address these shortcomings through coordinated efforts of various ministries. The program targets 75 PVTG communities living in 18 states and one Union Territory and works through 11 key interventions implemented by 9 ministries.
These 11 interventions include housing, road connectivity, piped drinking water supply, mobile medical units, Anganwadi centres, hostels, electrification, mobile towers, multi-purpose centres, Van Dhan Vikas Kendra and vocational skills training.
According to the factsheet, 7.8 lakh pucca houses have been constructed in tribal villages and clean drinking water has been provided to more than 28,303 villages. At the same time, electricity connections have been provided to 5,89,812 tribal families, which has improved their standard of living.
Infrastructure has expanded rapidly in tribal areas. Students from deprived communities have got more opportunities for education. Sanitation workers have received institutional recognition and better security related facilities. At the same time, backward and nomadic communities have also been brought under the ambit of targeted welfare schemes.
The expansion of Eklavya Model Residential Schools in the last 12 years has strengthened the education system in remote tribal areas. After the year 2018, these schools expanded rapidly, due to which the Scheduled Tribe communities started getting the facilities of modern residential education close to their areas. More than 1.56 lakh students are enrolled in 499 schools by the year 2026, while 323 new schools are under construction.
The effect of this change has also been visible at the geographical level. Tribal areas, aspirational districts and remote settlements have now become an important part of development planning and monitoring. Better coordination between various ministries has allowed the schemes to reach even those areas which were previously considered out of reach.
Similarly, the PM-Ajay scheme launched in the year 2021 focuses on the overall development of Scheduled Caste dominated villages. The scheme is working to empower the deprived Scheduled Caste communities by promoting infrastructure development, skill training and employment opportunities.
Under PM-Ajay Yojana, area based development of Scheduled Caste dominated villages is being done through ‘Adarsh Gram’ component. In this, additional assistance is given for coordination of various schemes, village development plans and meeting local needs. The program covers 47,334 villages located in 597 districts of 26 states, benefiting more than 4 crore Scheduled Caste citizens and more than 83 lakh families.
The statement further said that the program has also strengthened planning and infrastructure monitoring at the village level. Basic facilities have been assessed in more than 25,000 villages. This has helped in identifying deficiencies in roads, water supply, education, sanitation and connectivity facilities in a more systematic manner.
The government has also laid special emphasis on youth participation and employment generation. Skill development, participation in self-help groups and creation of infrastructure in villages are now made part of a broader effort to enhance long-term economic participation. The statement said that these steps are aimed at connecting disadvantaged communities with sustainable economic opportunities.
–IANS
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