PM Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group launched in Mission Mode

In News

• The Finance Minister announced the launch of a new scheme called the Pradhan Mantri PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) Development Mission as part of the Union Budget 2023-24.

More about the Mission

• A fund of Rs 15,000 crore for the next three years has been allocated for the socio-economic development of the group.
• It will be launched as part of ‘Reaching The Last Mile’, one of the seven Saptarishi priorities enlisted in this year’s Budget. 
• The PVTGs Mission aims to provide basic facilities like housing, water, road, telecom, education and health in PVTG areas across the country.
  • The scheme follows the strategic approach of Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana , which is need-based and strives to optimise utilisation of resources available under various programs and aims at specific outcomes.
• Implementation: Among the ministries that are expected to be roped in to implement the PM-PVTG Mission the Rural Development Ministry, the Water Resources Ministry, the Education Ministry, the Health Ministry and the Women and Child Development Ministry.

Need for Special Support

• Due to their vulnerability, PVTGs require greater support and development compared to other tribal groups. 
• The more developed and assertive tribal groups often receive a larger portion of tribal development funds, leaving PVTGs in need of more targeted support.
• The programme for the welfare of PVTGs began in the 1970s and there is an absence of a proper policy that considers their culture, practices, livelihood and other aspects of their lives for their welfare.

Who are Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)? 

• The Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are those that depend on hunting for food, have pre-agriculture level technologies, zero or negative population growth, and extremely low levels of literacy and are in need of greater support and development.
• Background: On the recommendation of the Dhebar Commission, the Central government began to identify the most vulnerable tribal groups as a separate category in 1975, establishing 52 such groups. 
  • The list was expanded in 1993, when another 23 groups were added, for a total of 75 PVTGs out of 705 Scheduled Tribes spread across 17 states and one Union Territory (UT) in the country (2011 census), the highest number being found in Odisha.
• Criteria for identification of PVTGs: 
  • Pre-agricultural level of technology
  • Low level of literacy
  • Economic backwardness
  • A declining or stagnant population.

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