Parliament Question: Implementation of Van Dhan Yojana in Jammu and Kashmir

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO- *285 TO BE ANSWERED ON- 18/03/2026 IMPLEMENTATION OF VAN DHAN YOJANA IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR *285 SHRI SAT PAUL SHARMA: Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) the number of functional Van Dhan Vikas Kendras in Jammu and Kashmir; (b) the number of tribal beneficiaries supported under the scheme; (c) the status of fund utilisation under the scheme; and (d) the steps taken to expand value addition and market linkages for tribal produce? ANSWER MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JUAL ORAM) (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.Statement referred to in reply to Part (a) to (d) of Rajya Sabha Starred Question No.*285 for answer on 18.03.2026 regarding Implementation of Van Dhan Yojana in Jammu and Kashmir (a): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, under the scheme of Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM), provides financial support through Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) for establishment of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) to foster the economic development of tribal populations by optimal utilization of natural resources, value addition processes, marketing linkages, and facilitating sustainable livelihood for tribal communities. As on 13.03.2026, 100 VDVKs associating about 29,791 members have been sanctioned under the PMJVM scheme in Jammu & Kashmir, with a total amount of Rs. 1457 lakhs. Out of these, 03 VDVKs are reported to be operational. (b) & (c): Till date, TRIFED has sanctioned an amount of Rs. 612.27 crores for establishment of 4125 VDVKs across the country associating 12.33 lakh members. (d): PMJVM scheme emphasizes the enterprise route for generating additional income to the SHGs/ beneficiaries of Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVKs) through collection, training, processing, value-addition, packaging, branding and marketing of value-added products. Besides, TRIFED also undertakes empanelment of tribal artisans/ producers and procurement of various tribal products from them for generating livelihood opportunities for tribal communities. The empanelled suppliers comprising of individual tribal artisans, tribal SHGs and NGOs/Agencies/Cooperatives/Organisations also work with the tribals. TRIFED undertakes retail marketing of tribal products through its 116 TRIBES India Outlets, E- Commerce platforms & Exhibitions like Aadi Mahotsav, Aadi Bazaar etc. across the country. *****