STATE : The Government of India has launched a comprehensive scheme called Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA) for the development of tribal people. This transformative initiative targets the socio-economic development of over 63,843 tribal-dominated villages across the country, informed the secretary of the tribal welfare department Brijesh Pandey today in a press meeting.

With a budget allocation of Rs. 79,156 crore, the program focuses on developing enabling infrastructure, promoting economic empowerment, universalizing quality education and ensuring healthy lives and dignified ageing for the target beneficiaries. The scheme is expected to benefit more than 5 crore tribal people in the country. PMJUGA will be implemented in 549 districts and 2,740 blocks across 30 states and UTs, covering all tribal majority villages. The scheme will be implemented over five years. In Tripura, all eight districts of the State involving 392 tribal majority villages in 52 Blocks will come into the programme coverage. The scheme will benefit around 8.5 lakhs ST Population in the State.

The tribal welfare secretary further informed a mega event to launch the Abhiyan will be held on 2nd October 2024, all across the country. The central event will be organized in Jharkhand. In the run-up to the ceremonial launching of the programme on the 2nd of October, a ‘Manthan Shivir’ is being organized on the 27th of September, 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. In the Manthan Shivir respective departments will be making presentations on action plans and strategies to achieve the goals of the scheme. Tripura will also participate in this Manthan Shivir. The Tribal Welfare Department of Tripura has been working diligently to improve the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities through key initiatives in education, healthcare, and livelihoods. The department has implemented scholarship schemes, residential schools, and Forest Rights Act (FRA) programs to empower tribal populations.

The Tribal Welfare Department of Tripura has taken significant steps to ensure the effective implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan. A high-level meeting was held on 22nd September 2024, chaired by the Secretary of, the Tribal Welfare Department. Secretaries / Directors from various departments also participated in the meeting and discussed the operational details of the scheme. During this meeting, a comprehensive strategy was laid out for executing the interventions in a coordinated and time-bound manner. The meeting was also attended by all the eight DM and Collectors. Respective Departments under the leadership of DM & Collectors will identify gaps in the critical sectors. An action plan will be prepared to fill these gaps and submitted to MoTA for funding.