24-September-2024-Special-Article

PRADHAN MANTRI JANJATIYA UNNAT GRAM ABHIYAN (PMJUGA)

The Union Cabinet recently approved the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA) to improve the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities.

This centrally sponsored scheme focuses on enhancing the welfare of tribal families in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts by addressing gaps in basic infrastructure, education, health, and livelihoods.

Key Aspects of PMJUGA

Coverage and Reach:

• PMJUGA will cover 549 districts and 2,740 blocks across 30 States/UTs.
• The initiative will focus on tribal-majority villages, covering approximately 63,000 villages and benefiting over 5 crore tribal people.
• The scheme aims to uplift tribal communities by addressing infrastructure, education, and livelihood gaps.

Objective:

• The mission’s primary goal is to bridge gaps in social infrastructure—especially in health, education, and livelihoods—through the convergence of various government schemes.
• By improving basic infrastructure, it seeks to create a foundation for sustainable development in tribal areas.

Goals and Targets of PMJUGA

Infrastructure Development:

• Pucca Houses: The scheme aims to ensure that eligible tribal households have access to pucca (concrete) houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-Rural).
• Access to Basic Amenities: Households will be provided with tapped water (under the Jal Jeevan Mission), electricity, and Ayushman Bharat health cards (PMJAY).

Improving Village Infrastructure:

• All-Weather Roads: The mission will ensure road connectivity in tribal villages through the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
• Mobile Connectivity: Tribal areas will be equipped with mobile and internet services via the Bharat Net initiative.
• Health, Education, and Nutrition Infrastructure: Improved infrastructure for health, education, and nutrition will be developed through the National Health Mission, Samagra Shiksha, and Poshan Abhiyaan.

Economic Empowerment:

• Skill Development: The mission focuses on skill development and entrepreneurship, offering training programs through the Skill India Mission.
• Self-Employment and Agriculture: Support will be extended to promote self-employment in agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries sectors, particularly for Forest Rights Act (FRA) patta holders.

Quality Education:

• Increasing Enrollment: PMJUGA aims to boost the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in schools and higher education for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students through initiatives like Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
• Hostels for Tribal Students: Hostels will be established at the district and block levels to make quality education affordable and accessible.

Healthcare Access and Dignified Ageing:

• Reducing Infant and Maternal Mortality: The mission will work to bring Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) closer to national standards.
• Mobile Medical Units: In areas lacking nearby healthcare facilities, Mobile Medical Units will provide health services.

Monitoring and Mapping:

• PM Gati Shakti Portal: Tribal villages will be mapped on the PM Gati Shakti Portal, allowing ministries to identify gaps in infrastructure. Best-performing districts will be recognized and awarded.

Innovative Schemes to Promote Livelihood under PMJUGA

Tribal Homestay Program:

• To promote tourism and alternative livelihoods, the Ministry of Tourism will develop 1,000 homestays in tribal areas under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.
• Tribal households can avail up to Rs. 5 lakh for building new rooms and Rs. 3 lakh for renovating existing ones.

Sustainable Livelihoods for Forest Right Holders:

• The mission emphasizes support for 22 lakh FRA patta holders, providing sustainable livelihood options through government schemes.

Infrastructure for Tribal Schools and Hostels:

• Tribal residential schools, hostels, and ashram schools will see improvements in infrastructure, promoting increased enrollment and retention of tribal students.

Sickle Cell Disease Centres:

• Centres of Competence (CoCs) will be established at premier institutions to provide advanced diagnosis and treatment for Sickle Cell Disease prevalent in tribal areas.

Tribal Multipurpose Marketing Centres (TMMC):

• 100 TMMCs will be set up to enhance marketing infrastructure for tribal products, including branding, packaging, and transportation support.

Need for PMJUGA

Poverty:

• Tribal communities face high levels of poverty. According to a former Planning Commission report, 45.3% of ST individuals lived below the poverty line in rural areas (2011-12).
• PMJUGA will create skilling centers in tribal districts to generate employment and reduce poverty.

Land Rights and Displacement:

• Tribal communities often face displacement due to development projects, lacking formal land titles.
• PMJUGA will issue 22 lakh FRA pattas to recognize tribal land rights and protect against exploitation.

Low Literacy Rates:

• Tribal literacy rates (59% as per Census 2011) are significantly lower than the national average (73%).
• The scheme will construct 1,000 hostels to make education more accessible to tribal students.

Health Challenges:

• Tribal children suffer from higher rates of stunting, wasting, and undernutrition compared to national averages (NFHS-5).
• The mission will deploy Mobile Medical Units to provide healthcare services in underserved areas.

Preserving Cultural Identity:

• Tribal communities are struggling to maintain their cultural identity amidst urbanization and globalization.
• PMJUGA will work to create model villages that preserve tribal cultural heritage under the Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana.

Other Government Initiatives for Scheduled Tribes

• PM-JANMAN Scheme (Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan)
• TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India)
• Digital Transformation of Tribal Schools
• Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana
• Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

Conclusion:

The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA) is a comprehensive initiative aiming to uplift tribal communities by enhancing infrastructure, education, healthcare, and livelihoods. Through skill development and sustainable employment, the scheme seeks to bridge developmental gaps, promote self-sufficiency, and empower India’s tribal population.

Mains question:

1. “Critically examine the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA) and its potential to address the socio-economic challenges faced by tribal communities in India.” (150 WORDS).