How the PM JANMAN scheme can help Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups

BACKGROUND: The Union Cabinet granted approval on November 29 for the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN). This initiative is designed to furnish households and habitations belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) with fundamental amenities, including secure housing, clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, enhanced access to education, health, and nutrition, improved road and telecom connectivity, and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.

PM-JANMAN Scheme

PM-JANMAN is a government initiative targeting tribal communities to integrate them into the mainstream.

Implementation Authority:

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs will implement the scheme in collaboration with State governments and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) communities.

Key Interventions:

Focuses on 11 critical interventions overseen by 9 line Ministries to ensure effective implementation of existing schemes in PVTG-inhabited villages.

Sectors Covered:

Encompasses various sectors such as safe housing (under PM-AWAS Scheme), access to clean drinking water, improved healthcare, education, nutrition, road and telecommunications connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Specific Initiatives:

Includes the establishment of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras for trading in forest produce, off-grid solar power systems for 1 lakh households, and solar street lights.

Overall Impact:

Aims to improve the quality of life and well-being of PVTGs by addressing discrimination and exclusion, recognizing their unique contributions to national and global development.

Challenges in implementation

Data Challenges:

An essential challenge is the absence of current and accurate data on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). The latest census data available dates back to 2001, with approximately 27.6 lakh individuals in PVTGs. Despite efforts by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to conduct baseline surveys, a precise and up-to-date dataset for PVTG populations is still pending.

Incomplete Census Data:

The population data submitted to the Parliamentary Standing Committee in 2022 was derived from the 2011 Census and excluded PVTG populations in Maharashtra, Manipur, and Rajasthan.

This lack of contemporary data impedes the accurate assessment of the needs and developmental progress of PVTG communities.

Census Recommendation and Information Gap:

The absence of a dedicated Census for PVTG communities, as suggested by the National Advisory Council in 2013, compounds the challenge of obtaining comprehensive information on their education, health, and housing status.

Diversity and Customized Approaches:

The diverse needs and capacities of PVTGs across regions and states pose a challenge, necessitating tailored and flexible approaches and interventions.

Stigma and Discrimination:

PVTGs face stigma and discrimination in both mainstream society and the state. There is a need for sensitization and awareness initiatives among stakeholders and the public.

Coordination and Convergence:

Ensuring effective coordination and convergence of the scheme with existing programs of central and state governments is crucial. It requires efficient delivery and utilization of Resources and services to meet the needs of PVTGs.

PVTGs:

In 1973, the Dhebar Commission introduced the term Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) to categorize tribal communities marked by a declining population, pre-agrarian technology usage, economic backwardness, and low literacy.

Renaming and Characteristics:

In 2006, the Indian government renamed PTGs as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

PVTGs are identified as less developed among tribal communities and reside in remote, inaccessible areas, facing challenges due to poor infrastructure and administrative support.

Geographical Distribution:

There are 75 PVTG communities located across 18 States and Union Territories in India.

Odisha has the highest number of PVTGs (15), followed by Andhra Pradesh (12), Bihar and Jharkhand (9), Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh (7), Tamil Nadu (6), and Kerala and Gujarat (5 each).

Other communities are spread across Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Tripura, Manipur, and include four tribal groups in the Andaman and one in the Nicobar Islands.

Socio-Economic Challenges:

PVTGs face socio-economic challenges, including limited development, inadequate infrastructure, and administrative support in their remote habitats.

Challenges in their development

• Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) face severe marginalization due to factors such as isolation, low population, and unique socio-economic and cultural characteristics.
• Their challenges include limited access to essential services, social discrimination, and susceptibility to displacement caused by both developmental projects and natural disasters. Political underrepresentation further hampers their involvement in decision-making processes.
• These communities often find their traditional knowledge and practices overlooked by the mainstream society, and stereotypes portraying them as backward persist.
• Additionally, PVTGs struggle against the loss of traditional livelihoods, challenges in securing Resource rights, a lack of market awareness for Non-Timber Forest Produce, and exploitation by middlemen. These issues collectively pose threats to their traditional occupations and well-being.

Schemes for PVTGs

Several schemes have been implemented by both the central and state governments to support Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

• The PVTG Development Plan is one such initiative, offering education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities while preserving traditional knowledge.
• The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) concentrates on establishing market linkages and procuring Minor Forest Produce (MFP) at Minimum Support Prices.
• Other notable schemes include the Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana, Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP), and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), collectively aiming for the comprehensive development of tribal areas.
• Additional measures, such as the establishment of Eklavya Model Residential Schools, granting land titles under the Forest Rights Act 2006, implementing the Support to Tribal Research Institute (STRI) scheme, enforcing the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989, The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996, and facilitating direct recruitment through reservations, contribute to education, self-governance, and protection against discrimination.

However, challenges in implementation, including Resource constraints, lack of awareness, and unequal treatment among various PVTG groups, have impacted the efficacy of these schemes.

How does PM-JANMAN differ from other schemes?

• Identification and acknowledgment: Criticism has been directed at the outdated criteria used to identify Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). In certain states, some PVTGs are not recognized as Scheduled Tribes, and confusion and exclusion arise from repetitive names on the list. Reports by Dr. Hrusikesh Panda in 2014 and Virginius Xaxa in 2015 raised concerns, emphasizing the need for an updated list and targeted development planning. The government's initiative to establish a Human Development Index for PVTGs is a significant step in addressing these concerns.
• Participatory bottom-up approach: Unlike the 'one-size-fits-all' approach, PM-JANMAN adopts customised strategies that respect the unique needs and priorities of PVTGs. It actively involves these groups in decision-making processes, addressing land rights, social inclusion, and cultural preservation. This community-based strategy ensures their participation in planning, implementing, and monitoring development projects
• Livelihood promotion: Sustainable livelihoods are promoted through skills training, Resource provision (such as land and credit), and implementation of the Forest Rights Act to secure access to forest Resources. Encouraging traditional technologies and skill enhancement through industry partnerships is prioritized to preserve cultural heritage while promoting sustainable development.
• Health, nutrition, and education: Targeted outreach strategies, like Mobile Medical Health Units, are crucial for providing healthcare in remote areas. Strategies need to be tailored for specific health issues, overcoming language and cultural barriers, and collaborating with traditional healers to address complex health issues. Education accessibility is enhanced by incorporating culture and language into the curriculum, providing transportation, training teachers about PVTG cultural contexts, offering incentives for personnel working in PVTG areas, and establishing special educational institutes focused on PVTG needs.
• Infrastructure development: Relaxation of guidelines for infrastructure schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and Jal Jeevan Mission, addresses the unique challenges faced by PVTGs. A tola-based (habitation) approach is adopted for development planning, ensuring a more accurate reflection of the specific needs of these communities.