New Delhi, September 18, 2024 The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA), a comprehensive initiative aimed at the socio-economic upliftment of tribal communities across India. With an outlay of ₹79,156 crore over five years, this initiative is set to benefit more than 63,000 tribal-majority villages and over 5 crore tribal citizens.
#CabinetDecisions | #Cabinet approves Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan with a budget of Rs. 79,156 crore.
The mission comprises 25 components and will cover around 63,000 tribal villages benefitting more than 5 crore tribal people. The aim is to promote livelihood and… pic.twitter.com/J2I3WbebCT— DD India (@DDIndialive) September 18, 2024
Tribal Homestays: A New Avenue for Livelihood
One of the key features of the PMJUGA is the promotion of tribal homestays under the Ministry of Tourism's Swadesh Darshan scheme. The government will provide up to ₹5 lakh per household to build new homestays or renovate existing ones, aimed at tapping into the tourism potential of tribal regions. The goal is to establish 1,000 homestays across villages with tourist appeal, creating alternative income sources for tribal communities.
Sustainable Agriculture on Forest Land
The PMJUGA also emphasises sustainable agricultural practices on Forest Rights Act (FRA) lands. As of June 2024, over 24 lakh FRA titles have been granted, covering 1.9 crore acres of forest land. The government aims to support 22 lakh FRA patta holders with various farming schemes, including livestock rearing and fish culture. These efforts are designed to enable the conservation and maintenance of forest areas while ensuring the livelihood of the tribal population.
Infrastructure development and scheme saturation
In addition to promoting tourism and agriculture, the PMJUGA seeks to accelerate the implementation of basic schemes in tribal villages. The initiative aims to build 20 lakh pucca homes, lay 25,000 km of roads, and bring piped water to every eligible village. Additionally, the plan includes electrification of 2.35 lakh households, provision of 25 lakh LPG connections, and ensuring broadband connectivity in 5,000 villages under the BharatNet project.
Holistic Development
Beyond infrastructure, the PMJUGA includes provisions for off-grid solar power, mobile medical units, and the construction of anganwadi centres and hostels. It also focuses on improving education by increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio and promoting healthy living through Ayushman cards and Poshan Vatikas.
This initiative, modelled after the PM-JANMAN package launched in 2023, represents a significant step towards empowering tribal communities and ensuring their inclusion in India's growth story.
Inputs by Agencies
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