The Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram  addressing the media in New Delhi today said that not a single stone would be left unturned in the field of development of tribes in the nation . Interacting with media at his official residence he said his ministry is taking all-round initiatives in bridging the gap in the field of development of different tribes in the nation. Shri Oram said that the Government of India has approved the commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda as Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, from 15th November 2024 to 15th November 2025. Accordingly, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has outlined a year-long celebration with states/UTs conducting, National Level Events and State Level Events through the Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) across the country. This annual celebration honours the contributions of tribal leaders and communities to India's freedom struggle and nation-building. Shri Oram said that  PM-JANMAN stands as a transformative policy level initiative aimed at fostering the holistic development of 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) across 18 States and 01 Union Territory. He informed that with a budgetary outlay of ₹24,104 Crore (Central Share: ₹15,336 Crore and State Share: ₹8,768 Crore), PM-JANMAN is designed to provide equitable access to essentialservices for PVTG communities, improving their living conditions and facilitating their socio-economic progress. The core objectives include providing safe housing, clean drinking water, enhanced education, healthcare, nutrition, road connectivity, electricity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities within three years. It was attended by the Minister of  State of Tribal Affairs Shri Durga Das Uikey.

Informing about the achievements of his ministry he said that building on the success of the PM-JANMAN scheme, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs(MoTA) has launched a transformative multi-sectoral initiative, DhartiAabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, to ensure the holistic and sustainabledevelopment of tribal population in villages.The Scheme was launched by the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 02.10.2024 at Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. This ambitious program integratesschemes from 17 ministries, including MoTA, through 25 targeted interventions,focusing on saturating tribal villages with essential service infrastructure.The Abhiyan is underpinned by a significant investment of ₹79,156 crore over fiveyears, comprising a central share of ₹56,333 crore and a state share of ₹22,823crore, mobilized through the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes(DAPST).

He said that the Abhiyan focuses on addressing infrastructural and human development gaps in high tribal concentration villages, aspirational districts, and blocks based on Antyodaya Mission Gap Data (2022-23). The program extends beyond aspirational blocks and districts targeting nearly 5 crores tribal population living in 63,843 tribal villages in 2,911 blocks of 549 districts of 26 States and 4 UTs with a total outlay of ₹79,156 crore.

Besides he informed that the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) has implemented several transformative initiatives to enhance the quality of education, infrastructure, and holistic development of tribal students, particularly in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). These initiatives focus on academic excellence, skill development, extracurricular engagement, teacher training, digital learning, leadership, and student well-being.

Shri Oram said that his Ministry implements five scholarship schemes, benefiting 30 lakh tribal students annually.

Budget Increase: 3x rise in financial allocation (Rs. 978 crores to ~Rs. 3,088 crore).

Beneficiaries Growth:  Wide Coverage expanded from ~18 lakh to ~30 lakh students annually.

Higher Education Access:

MPhil/PhD fellowships: 950 → 2,700.

National Overseas Scholarships: 8 → 58.

Top-Class Education Scheme: 3,000 → 7,000 students.

The minister said that the launch of PMAAGY in 2022 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is a key initiative aimed at transforming tribal-dominated villages into model villages, enhancing their socio-economic development through an integrated approach. By focusing on villages with over 50% tribal population, PMAAGY targets 8 critical sectors for holistic development, including road and telecom connectivity, education, healthcare, sanitation, and drinking water.

At the policy level, the scheme prioritizes a convergence approach, wherein resources from multiple sectors are aligned for the comprehensive development of tribal villages. The initiative complements the National Tribal Policy and the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) for overall tribal empowerment and upliftment. A significant policy feature is the provision of ₹20.38 lakh per village for gap-filling measures, which addresses specific needs identified in Village Development Plans (VDPs) sent by state governments.

The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) is an apex organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, dedicated to the economic development of Scheduled Tribes (STs). Over the past decade (2014-2025), NSTFDC has significantly expanded its reach and impact, providing financial assistance at concessional rates to tribal entrepreneurs, self-help groups, and students.

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act (FRA) marked a significant step in addressing historical injustices faced by tribal and forest-dwelling communities. The Act recognizes 13 different individual and community rights and empowers Gram Sabhas to manage and protect biodiversity, ensuring both social justice and environmental conservation. Over the last decade, substantial progress has been made in its implementation, reinforcing the role of tribal communities in forest governance.

As far as health sector of the tribal people is concerned that his ministry has announced in the Union Budget 2023-24 as a major initiative aimed at addressing the health crisis caused by Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA), particularly in tribal regions of India. The mission aligns with the country's vision to eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia by 2047.

• Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission: Launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 1st July 2023 from Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh. Over 5 crore individuals screened for Sickle Cell Anaemia under the universal screening drive.
• Awareness Campaign Highlights:Two-week nationwide campaign conducted from 19th June to 3rd July 2024. Organized 1.60 lakh events, including:  1 lakh health camps ; 27 lakh screening tests conducted;  13.19 lakh screening cards distributed
• Centre of Competence (CoC) under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan: 15 Centres of Competence sanctioned across 14 states to enhance tribal healthcare services.

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RN/