Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs answered questions regarding schemes for the welfare of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Key initiatives include the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) launched on November 15, 2023, and the utilization of the PM Gati Shakti mobile application for data collection. The response also details financial allocations, beneficiaries, and support for PVTGs through various schemes and research projects.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN):**
* Launched on November 15, 2023, to improve the socioeconomic conditions of 75 PVTG communities in 18 states and one UT.
* Aims to provide basic facilities like housing, drinking water, education, health, road and telecom connectivity, electrification, and livelihood opportunities in 3 years.
* Involves 11 interventions implemented by 9 line Ministries.
* Has a total budgetary outlay of ₹24,104 Cr (Central share: ₹15,336 Cr, State share: ₹8,768 Cr).
* **Data Collection and Assessment:**
* Habitation level data collection using the PM Gati Shakti mobile application to estimate PVTG population and infrastructure gaps.
* Data collected by States/UTs to cover PVTG populations in villages/habitations under PM JANMAN.
* **Education Initiatives:**
* Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) reserve 5 seats for PVTG students in each school.
* National Fellowship scheme reserves 25 out of 750 slots for PVTG students.
* National Overseas Scholarship reserves 3 out of 20 slots for PVTG candidates.
* **Financial Assistance to NGOs in Tamil Nadu:**
* Funds released to NGOs/VOs in Tamil Nadu for the welfare of STs, including PVTGs, under the Grants-in-Aid scheme (in ₹ Cr):
* 2020-21: 1.17
* 2021-22: 2.75
* 2022-23: 2.50
* 2023-24: 3.77
* 2024-25: 1.89
* 2025-26: 0.20
* **Research Projects:**
* The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) has awarded 4 major projects related to PVTG communities in Tamil Nadu.
* **State-wise Financial Progress:**
* Details of funds sanctioned and released under PM-JANMAN for Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ interventions are provided in Annexure I.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments/UT Administrations:
* Impact: Responsible for habitation level data collection using the PM Gati Shakti mobile application.
* Action Required: Collect and submit accurate data on PVTG populations and infrastructure gaps to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Line Ministries:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing specific interventions under the PM-JANMAN Abhiyan.
* Action Required: Implement assigned interventions according to the guidelines and norms, and maintain records of funds sanctioned and utilized.
Voluntary Organizations (VOs)/NGOs in Tamil Nadu:
* Impact: Receive grants-in-aid for the welfare of STs, including PVTGs.
* Action Required: Utilize funds effectively for the welfare and development of PVTGs and STs in Tamil Nadu.
PVTG Students:
* Impact: Benefit from reserved seats in EMRS, National Fellowship, and National Overseas Scholarship schemes.
* Action Required: Apply for and avail the opportunities provided under these schemes.
Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR):
* Impact: Conducts multidisciplinary studies on PVTGs.
* Action Required: Continue to support and conduct relevant research projects focusing on PVTG communities.
Key Entities Referenced
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups: A category of tribal groups with specific vulnerabilities, requiring targeted welfare schemes.
Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha AbhiyaN: A mission (PM-JANMAN) for the socio-economic development of 75 PVTG communities across 18 states and 1 UT.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for the welfare and development of tribal communities.
Tamil Nadu: A state in India with six Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
Indian Council of Social Science Research: An organization that has called for multidisciplinary studies on PVTGs, particularly in Tamil Nadu.
Eklavya Model Residential School: A flagship scheme implemented by Ministry of Tribal Affairs to provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) Students.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India where Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha AbhiyaN is implemented.
Chhattisgarh: A state in India where Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha AbhiyaN is implemented.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3173
TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2025
SCHEMES FOR THE WELFARE OF PVTGS
3173. SMT. KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the schemes currently in place to ensure the welfare of Particularly
Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs);
(b) the details of the number of beneficiaries and the funds allocated and utilised
under these schemes during the last five years, State-wise;
(c) the details of the funds disbursed to Tamil Nadu under the Scheme of Grant-in-
Aid to Voluntary Organisations Working for the Welfare of Scheduled Tribes during
the current financial year, specifically for the welfare and development of its six
PVTGs namely Todas, Kotas, Kurumbas, Irulas, Paniyas and Kattunayakas;
(d) whether the Government has responded to the Indian Council of Social Science
Research’s (ICSSR) call for multi-disciplinary studies on PVTGs with specific focus
on tribes in Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the status of baseline surveys conducted for these PVTGs in Tamil Nadu by the
Government and the action plans formulated based on the findings?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a) to (e) On 15th November 2023, Hon'ble Prime Minister launched Pradhan Mantri
Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha AbhiyaN (PM JANMAN) for socio-economic
development of 75 PVTG communities residing in 18 states and one UT. The
mission aims to provide basic facilities to improve their socio-economic conditions
such as safe housing, clean drinking water and improved access to education, health
and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, electrification of unelectrified
households and sustainable livelihood opportunities in 3 years. These objectives are
being met through 11 interventions implemented by 9-line Ministries. PM JANMAN
has total budgetary outlay of ₹24,104 Cr (Central share: ₹15336 Cr and State share:
₹8768 Cr). Each Ministry under abhiyan is responsible for implementing the
intervention assigned to it. The details of financial progress, State-wise, forinterventions of Ministry of Tribal Affairs under the abhiyan are given in Annexure
I.
Besides, in view of the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya
Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN), the Ministry of Tribal Affairs through the State
Governments/ UT Administration/departments has undertaken habitation level data
collection exercise through PM Gati Shakti mobile application to estimate PVTG
population figures and infrastructure gaps in order to cover PVTG population
residing in villages & habitations under PM JANMAN. Based on the data captured
by States / UTs for habitation level data collection exercise, the number of PVTGs
and villages, State/UT-wise including Tamil Nadu, are tabulated at Annexure II.
The actual number beneficiaries to be covered under these abhiyan is subjected to
eligibility criteria of specific guidelines of concerned interventions as per norms
approved.
Besides, Ministry of Tribal Affairs is also implementing a flagship scheme “Eklavya
Model Residential School (EMRS)” to provide quality education to ST Students
from class 6th to 12th. 5% seats in each of the EMRSs is reserved for PVTG
students.
In the scheme of National Fellowship, 25 slots out of 750 slots are reserved for
PVTG students. Under National Overseas Scholarship for ST students, 3 slots out of
20 slots are reserved for PVTG candidate.
The details of the funds released to NGOs / VOs in respect of Tamil Nadu for the
welfare of STs including PVTGs under the schemes of “Grants-in-Aid to Voluntary
Organizations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes” during the last five
years and current financial year is as under:
(in Rs. Cr)
2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26
1.17 2.75 2.50 3.77 1.89 0.20
As informed by Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), it has
awarded 4 major projects related to PVTG communities in Tamil Nadu.Annexure I
Annex referred to in reply to part (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question
No. 3173 for answer on 07.08.2025 raised Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi
regarding “Schemes for the Welfare of PVTGs”
Details sanction/ releases of funds under PM-JANMAN for Ministry of Tribal
Affairs' interventions*
(in Rs. Cr)
S. Name of State MoTA
No. MPCs VDVKs**
Funds released UCs SNA Funds Funds
during 2023-24 to submitted balances sanctioned released
2025-26
1 ANDHRA 47.49 19.87 0.06
PRADESH 3.0755 1.53825
2 CHHATTISGARH 8.52 0.00 6.96 1.1975 0.59875
3 GUJARAT 6.03 0.00 3.54 0.525 0.2625
4 JHARKHAND 18.54 0.62 16.53 1.438 0.72
5 KARNATAKA 28.99 3.33 15.42 0.918 0.292
6 KERALA 2.29 0.00 1.10 0.2685 0.10825
7 MADHYA 25.99 13.47 11.78
PRADESH 2.545 1.27275
8 MAHARASHTRA 45.03 12.47 24.65 1.812 0.90635
9 ODISHA 36.60 0.00 11.85 2.2365 0.8891
10 RAJASTHAN 6.76 0.00 1.66 4.421 2.20045
11 TAMIL NADU 25.87 10.10 5.43 1.2015 0.60075
12 TELANGANA 16.16 0.00 4.42 0.7305 0.36525
13 TRIPURA 12.07 10.02 2.06 1.275 0.627
14 UTTAR PRADESH 0.83 0.00 0.84 0.1595 0.0797
15 UTTARAKHAND 7.20 0.62 0.17 0.317 0.1585
16 WEST BENGAL 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.139 0
17 ANDAMAN & 0.00 0.00 0.00
NICOBAR 0.028 0.014
18 MANIPUR 3.30 0.00 0.00 0.3 0.15
19 BIHAR 2.10 0.00 0.00 0 0
GRAND TOTAL 293.77 70.50 106.47 22.5875 10.7836
*The records of the funds sanctioned/utilised for interventions to be carried out by other Ministries/Departments is
maintained by concerned Ministries / Departments.
**UCs are yet to be receivedAnnexure-II
Annex referred to in reply to part (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question
No. 3173 for answer on 07.08.2025 raised Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi
regarding “Schemes for the Welfare of PVTGs”
Estimate of PVTG population based on the mobile application-based habitation
survey by State Governments / UT Administrations
S.N. Name of State PVTG Population
1 Andaman & Nicobar Islands 191
2 Andhra Pradesh 518997
3 Bihar 8839
4 Chhattisgarh 233337
5 Gujarat 153524
6 Jharkhand 400954
7 Karnataka 57501
8 Kerala 29533
9 Madhya Pradesh 1322807
10 Maharashtra 670543
11 Manipur 44694
12 Odisha 309883
13 Rajasthan 128766
14 Tamil Nadu 365473
15 Telangana 63755
16 Tripura 274433
17 Uttar Pradesh 3527
18 Uttarakhand 95870
19 West Bengal 67499
Grand Total 4750126
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