**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Tribal Affairs' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4615 regarding progress under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA), now referred to as Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA).
The DAJGUA program targets the holistic development of tribal communities in villages within Aspirational blocks with a Scheduled Tribe (ST) population of 50 or more, or villages with a minimum population of 500 and at least 50 ST residents. The program encompasses approximately 63,643 villages across 549 districts and 2,911 blocks in 26 States and 4 Union Territories with significant tribal populations. This initiative is slated to run for five years, from 2024-25 to 2028-29. Currently, there are no plans to expand the number of villages included under DAJGUA.
Regarding the Valmiki Boya community in Andhra Pradesh's request for recognition as a Scheduled Tribe, the State Government estimates the community's population to be 2,580,000, based on a 2017 study by TCRTI (Dr. PD Satya Pal Kumar). Andhra Pradesh has submitted proposals to the Government of India for this recognition; however, the Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI) has not supported the proposal.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is actively monitoring the implementation of DAJGUA through coordination meetings with relevant departments and State/UT governments. These meetings focus on identifying and addressing gaps and tracking the progress of sanctioned projects under DAJGUA.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA): A program initiative aimed at the development of tribal villages.
Valmiki Boya community: A community in Andhra Pradesh seeking recognition as a Scheduled Tribe.
Scheduled Tribes (STs): A constitutionally recognized group of indigenous people in India.
Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA): A program initiative aimed for the holistic development of tribal communities and villages.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India where the Valmiki Boya community is seeking ST status and where PMJUGA implementation is being monitored.
SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH: Member of Parliament who raised a question regarding PMJUGA.
SHRI G LAKSHMINARAYANA: Member of Parliament who raised a question regarding PMJUGA.
Office of Registrar General of India (ORGI): An office that didn't support the proposal submitted by the State to recognize the Valmiki Boya community as Scheduled Tribes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 4615
TO BE ANSWERED ON-21/08/2025
PROGRESS UNDER PM-JUGA
4615. SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH:
SHRI G LAKSHMINARAYANA:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any plans to increase the number of villages under the Pradhan Mantri
Janjatiya Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA), if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(b) the details of the communities in Andhra Pradesh, especially the Valmiki Boya community currently
requesting recognition as Scheduled Tribes (STs) and the estimated number of people to be benefitted
under PM-JUGA upon such recognition; and
(c) the steps being taken to ensure timely and effective implementation of PM-JUGA in the State,
particularly for under-represented or unrecognized tribal communities?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a): The “Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan” aims for the holistic development of tribal
communities and villages, focusing on those in Aspirational blocks with ST populations of 50 or more,
and villages with at least 500 people and 50% ST population—covering around 63,643 villages. Over five
years (2024-25 to 2028-29), the program will reach 549 districts and 2,911 blocks across tribal-dominated
areas in 26 States and 4 UTs. Presently, Government has no plan to increase the number of villages under
DAJGUA.
(b): The State Government of Andhra Pradesh has reported that as per the study done by TCR&TI in 2017
(Dr. PD Satya Pal Kumar, 2017), the Valmiki Boya associations gave an estimated figure of 25,80,000.
The State of Andhra Pradesh has submitted proposals to Government of India to recognize the Valmiki
Boya community as Scheduled Tribes. The Office of Registrar General of India (ORGI) didn't support the
proposal submitted by the State.
(c): Ministry is conducting coordination meetings with line departments and state/UT governmnets under
“Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan” (DAJGUA) for gap filling and to monitor the progress
sanctioned under DAJGUA.
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