Context: Recently, Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (PMVKY)  a landmark scheme for developing and empowering Tribal Communities in India completed its 10 yeras.

• It aims to empower tribal communities in India, recognizing their historical neglect. The initiative not only provides financial assistance but also establishes a framework for sustainable development.

Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (PMVKY)

• Launch Year – 2014

• Type: Center sector scheme that focuses on integrated, holistic and inclusive development of tribal communities. 

• Implementation – Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA)

Objectives –

• To improve the socio-economic conditions of tribal populations.

• To preserve their cultural heritage and identity.

Six Key Components of PMVKY

• 1) Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY): The Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY) focuses on the integrated development of 36,428 villages with significant tribal populations. This initiative aims to improve critical infrastructure such as road connectivity, digital access, healthcare, education, and sanitation in these villages.

• 2) Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs): This component aims to uplift the most marginalized tribal groups, known as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), by enhancing their living conditions and preserving their unique cultural heritage.

• The Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission has been launched to improve housing, water access, sanitation, education, and connectivity for PVTGs.

• 3) Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRI): The scheme provides financial support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) to facilitate research and documentation related to tribal communities. This support is intended to strengthen the knowledge base concerning tribal cultures, socio-economic challenges, and the impact of various policies, helping state governments create more informed development strategies.

• 4) Pre-Matric Scholarships: The Pre-Matric Scholarship scheme is designed to support tribal students in grades IX and X from families with a parental income of up to Rs 2.5 lakhs.

• The program aims to alleviate financial barriers to education, ensuring that students can continue their studies. The central government contributes 75% of the funding for most states, increasing to 90% for North Eastern and hilly states, while Union Territories receive 100% funding from the central government.

• 5) Post-Matric Scholarships: The Post-Matric Scholarship scheme follows similar terms as the Pre-Matric scheme but is intended for Scheduled Tribe students who pursue education beyond class 10. This support helps ease the financial burden on families, encouraging students to continue their academic journey and achieve higher educational qualifications.

• 6) Administrative Assistance for Project Management Units: To ensure the effective monitoring and implementation of tribal welfare schemes, PMVKY provides funds to establish project management units within state governments. These units are responsible for overseeing the successful delivery of benefits under PMVKY and ensuring that the intended outcomes are achieved.

Tribals in India

• Scheduled Tribes (ST) constitute approximately 8.6% of population of India.

• There are over 730 Scheduled Tribes notified under Article 342 of the Constitution of India.

• There’re 75 identified PVTGs in 18 States, and Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Other Steps for Tribal Welfare

• Eklavya Model Residential Schools:  Established to provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe students from classes VI to XII.

• Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM): By merging two existing schemes- “Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce through Minimum Support Price” and the “Institutional Support for Development and Marketing of Tribal Products.”

• Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST): Addition to MoTA, 41 ministries and departments contribute a percentage of their total scheme budgets each year towards tribal development.