India is home to diverse tribal population, with Scheduled Tribes (ST) numbering 10.45 crore, representing 8.6% of the country's total population as per the 2011 Census. Comprising over 705 distinct groups, these communities often inhabit remote and inaccessible areas. In order to alleviate the socioeconomic condition of tribal people, on 2 October 2024, Government has launched various initiatives for tribal people development during PM visit to Jharkhand.

Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan:

On October 2, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. The program, with a budget of ₹79,150 crore, aims to improve social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihood in around 63,000 tribal villages. It is set to benefit over 5 crore tribal people across 549 districts in 30 states and Union Territories. The initiative includes 25 interventions coordinated across 17 ministries to address various challenges in tribal development.

Eklavya Model Residential Schools:

Recently, 40 new EMRS were inaugurated, and the foundation for 25 additional schools was laid, amounting to an investment of over ₹2,800 crore. These schools prioritize preserving local tribal culture while promoting sports and skill development.

·         Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) is designed to provide quality education to ST children in remote areas. Each school accommodates 480 students from Class VI to XII, fostering both academic and holistic development.

Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN)

Alongside the Dharti Aaba program, the government has initiated projects under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN). With a budget of over ₹1,360 crore, these projects aim to enhance road connectivity, construct Anganwadis and multipurpose centers, and build school hostels. Notably, over 75,800 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) households have been electrified, and 275 mobile medical units along with 500 Anganwadi centers have been established to improve healthcare access.

Government Commitment for tribal welfare:

• The Indian government's efforts for tribal development began with the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) in 1974-75. This later evolved into the Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) and the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST). These plans ensured that various ministries targeted tribal welfare through a coordinated approach.
• Presently, the financial commitment for tribal development has significantly increased, with the DAPST budget rising from ₹25,000 crore annually to ₹1.2 lakh crore in 2023-24.
• The Union Budget 2024-25 has further increased the allocation to ₹13,000 crore for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, reflecting a 73.60% increase over the previous year’s estimate.

Key Government Schemes for Tribal Empowerment:

Distribution of Land Titles

• Total Distributed: 23.43 lakh land titles covering 1.8 crore acres under the Forest Rights Act by October 31, 2023.

Employment Initiatives

•  Job Fair: 'Kaushal Mahotsav' organised for tribal youth, resulting in job placements.
• Skill Development: Various collaborations to promote tribal products and skill enhancement.

National Overseas Scholarship for ST Students

• A scheme providing opportunities for meritorious ST students to pursue higher education (post-graduate, doctoral, post-doctoral) abroad. A total of 20 awards are given annually, with 30% reserved for women.

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) Development Program

·       Focuses on the welfare of the most vulnerable tribal groups, providing access to healthcare, education, clean water, and electricity to around 7 lakh families in 22,000 habitations across 200 districts.

Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)

·         Aims to preserve tribal culture and address socio-economic challenges.

Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST)

·       Ensures that all ministries implement welfare schemes for tribal communities.

National Fellowship for ST Students

·       Provides scholarships for ST students pursuing higher education, with a fully digital process ensuring timely financial assistance and grievance redressal through DigiLocker.

National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC)

·       Provides concessional financial assistance to ST beneficiaries for income-generating activities.

Cultural promotion:

• Aadi Mahotsav: Major tribal festival to showcase tribal culture, crafts, and cuisine, with participation from various PVTGs.

·         G20 Showcase: TRIFED showcased tribal craftsmanship at the G20 Summit.

Jan Jatiya Gaurav Divas:

·         Date: Celebrated on November 15, 2023.

·         Purpose: Tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda and recognition of tribal freedom fighters.

Socio-Economic Empowerment:

• Term Loan Scheme: Provides soft loans up to 90% of the unit cost for viable business ventures.
•  Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojna (AMSY): offering concessional loans for tribal women.
• Micro Credit Scheme: Loans of up to ₹5 lakhs for tribal self-help groups (SHGs).

Health Initiatives:

Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission

• Implementation: Jointly by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, ICMR, and state governments.
• Goal: Address sickle cell disease among tribal populations through screening and management.
•  Launch Date: Prime Minister Modi launched the program on July 1, 2023.
• Target: Screen over 8 crore tribals under 40 years in 3 years

Honoring Tribal Heritage:

• To celebrate and preserve tribal culture, 10 Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums have been sanctioned in states where tribals historically resisted colonial rule. A significant memorial, Mangarh Dham, near the Rajasthan-Gujarat border, is under development to honor Bhil freedom fighters that died in a mass shooting in 1913.
  
  

Constitutional rights for tribal people:

Legal rights for tribal people: