Centre to Allocate Rs 39,000 Crores for Tribal Upliftment Schemes

Bhopal- The Government of India is set to allocate a substantial budget of Rs 39 thousand crores to uplift the backward tribes in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims to unveil this budget next month under the PM Jan-Man Yojana. From the funds allocated to MP, the focus will be on implementing special schemes to elevate the vulnerable tribal groups, such as Baiga, Sahariya, and Bharia.

Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister, Vijay Shah, shared this information during a media conference at the Circuit House in Mandla. Currently touring at the divisional level, he highlighted preparations for the Prime Minister's scheme targeting vulnerable groups in tribal-dominated districts, including Baihar Project, Sahariya, Baiga, and Bhariya of Patalkot.

New schemes are in the works for the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), with a substantial budget provision of Rs 39 thousand crores. These schemes will focus on integrating education, health, and employment initiatives for the tribal communities.

Addressing efforts for overall tribal development, Minister Vijay Shah mentioned ongoing initiatives, including the establishment of a Polytechnic College and ITI for tribal girl students in Mandla. Recognizing the inconvenience faced by middle-class families whose children travel to big cities for competitive exam preparation, the government plans to open training centers, computer centers, and e-libraries named after Rani Durgavati in 89 tribal blocks across the state.

Madhya Pradesh boasts 20 districts and 89 development blocks under seven divisions that are predominantly tribal. With a tribal population of 21%, the state is recognized as having the highest tribal population in the country. The districts include Burhanpur, Khandwa, Jhabua, Alirajpur, and others, housing special backward tribal groups.

The state is home to three distinct particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) —Bharia, Baiga, and Sahariya. In a concerted effort to address the unique needs of these communities, the state government has established 11 dedicated special backward tribe development agencies. These agencies strategically span across various regions, including Mandla, Baihar (Balaghat), Dindori, Pushparajgarh (Anuppur), Shahdol, Umaria, Gwalior (inclusive of Datia district), Sheopur (covering Bhind and Morena districts), Shivpuri, Guna (encompassing Ashoknagar district), and Tamiya (Chhindwara district).

With a combined population of 5.51 lakh individuals, members of these three PVTG inhabit 2314 identified villages covered by these agencies.

The tribes in Madhya Pradesh predominantly exist in a primitive stage, residing at a considerable distance from the mainstream of development. Primarily inhabiting forested areas, these communities heavily rely on forest products, herbs, wood, and other natural resources for their sustenance. The tribal population in the state has perpetuated traditional practices, with farming and cultivation being integral aspects of their way of life. This dependence on nature depicts the unique lifestyle and challenges faced by these tribal communities, emphasizing the need for targeted initiatives to uplift and integrate them into the broader developmental landscape.

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