Government Of India Has Launches Comprehensive Scheme Pradhan Mantri Janajatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA).

Agartala, Tripura, 24th of September, 2024 : 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 socio-economic development of over 63,843 tribal- dominated villages across the country, informed the secretary of tribal welfare department Brijesh Pandey today in a press meet. 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 a five-year period. In Tripura, all the eight districts of the State involving 392 tribal majority villages in 52 Blocks will come into the programme coverage. Scheme will be benefiting 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 October, a ‘Manthan Shivir’ is being organized on the 27th September, 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. In the Manthan Shivir respective departments will be making presentations on action plan 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 Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA) will be over and above the existing Trbal Welfare Schemes. The primary interventions under the PMJUGA scheme include Infrastructure Development – construction of permanent houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G) and building all-weather roads through the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY); Water Supply – provision of tap water to households under the Jal Jeevan Mission; Energy and Electrification-household electrification to provide reliable electricity and installation of off-grid solar systems under a new solar power scheme to promote clean energy solutions; Healthcare Services – deployment of Mobile Medical Units through the National Health Mission (NHM) to provide healthcare access in remote areas, distribution of Ayushman Bharat Health Cards under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) to ensure healthcare coverage; LPG Connections – providing free LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for clean cooking fuel access; Child Development and Nutrition – establishing Anganwadi Centres under the Poshan Abhiyan to support early childhood development, creating Poshan Vatiks (nutrition gardens) under the National AYUSH Mission to promote nutritional awareness; Educational Support – hostel construction under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan to facilitate better access to education for tribal students; Digital and Communication Infrastructure – expanding digital infrastructure through the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) and Bharat Net to improve connectivity in tribal regions; Skill Development – promoting employment and skill enhancement through the Skill India Mission; Digital Initiatives – implementing various digital initiatives to bridge the digital divide and promote e-governance and online services; Sustainable Agriculture Promotion supporting sustainable farming practices through multiple schemes under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DOAFW); Fishery Development – providing support for fish culture and aquaculture activities under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY); Livestock Rearing offering assistance for livestock rearing under the National Livestock Mission to enhance livelihoods; Rural Development and Capacity Building – empowering local governance and leadership through capacity building under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA); Tourism and Cultural Promotion – encouraging tribal tourism and tribal home stays under the Swadesh Darshan scheme to boost local economies and cultural exchange.

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, 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. This initiative, coupled with the existing projects of the Tribal Welfare Department, is expected to bring transformative changes in the state’s tribal regions. The additional budgetary allocation under PMJUGA will provide a significant boost to Tripura’s ongoing tribal development efforts; and making this a crucial step in fostering socio-economic upliftment for the state’s indigenous communities.

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