PVTG Development Mission [UPSC Notes]

The Union Budget 2023-24 saw the announcement of a scheme for the betterment of the tribal population in India called the PVTG Development Mission. In this article, you can learn all about this new scheme for the UPSC exam polity and governance segment.

PVTG Development Mission

The PM PVTG Development Mission will be launched as part of ‘Reaching The Last Mile’, one of the seven Saptarishi priorities enlisted in the Union Budget 2023-24.

• The mission will focus on improving the overall socio-economic conditions of 75 PVTGs across the country who live in around 31,000 villages of India’s 18 states and one UT.
• The mission aims to deliver basic facilities to PVTGs such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation; improved access to health, education and nutrition; road and telecom connectivity and sustainable livelihood opportunities. 
• A Budget of Rs 15,000 crore will be dedicated to this mission in the next three years under the Development Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes.
• The PVTG Development Mission is expected to benefit around 3.5 lakh tribal people in the country.

Also read: Van Dhan Yojana

Who are the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)?

In 1973, the Dhebar Commission created a separate category ‘Primitive Tribal Groups’, which are less developed than other tribal groups. In 2006, the Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) were renamed by GoI as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). The tribal groups that are most vulnerable and generally inhabit remote localities having poor infrastructure and administrative support are called PVTGs. These are characterised by –

• Declining or stagnant population,
• Low levels of literacy,
• Pre-agricultural level of technology and 
• Economic backwardness.

75 such groups (out of 705 Scheduled Tribes) have been identified and categorised as PVTGs.

Know more about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in the linked article.

Development of PVTGs

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements the scheme – ‘Development of PVTGs’ (since 2008). The scheme of Development of PVTGs aims at the socio-economic development of PVTGs in a comprehensive manner, while retaining their culture and heritage. 

• This is a centrally sponsored scheme having a provision of 100% central assistance to 18 States and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar islands where all the 75 PVTGs reside. 
• Activities supported under the scheme include housing, education, agriculture development, animal husbandry, installation of non-conventional sources of energy for lighting purposes, strengthening of infrastructure through construction of community assets, social security and any other innovative activity meant for the comprehensive development of PVTGs.
• Under the scheme the State government/UT administration submits Conservation-Cum-Development (CCD) Plan valid for a period of five years for each PVTG within its territory, outlining the initiatives it will undertake, financial planning for the same and the agencies charged with the responsibility of undertaking the same. The CCD Plan is approved by an Expert Committee, appointed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The scheme is then funded entirely by the Central Government.

Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission:- Download PDF Here