Hazaribagh: On the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) today in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. With a total outlay of ₹79,156 crores (₹56,333 crore Central Share and ₹22,823 crore State Share), this ambitious scheme aims to ensure the holistic and sustainable development of tribal communities across the country.
The launch event saw the presence of several key dignitaries, including Governor of Jharkhand Santosh Gangwar, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram, Union Minister of Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi, and senior officials from both the Central and State Governments.
The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan will benefit more than 5 crore tribal people residing in 63,843 villages spread across 549 districts and 2,911 blocks in 30 States and Union Territories. The program focuses on addressing critical gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihood through 25 targeted interventions coordinated by 17 ministries. By converging efforts from various departments, DAJGUA envisions an empowered and self-sufficient tribal India.
A Vision for Tribal Upliftment
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of the scheme, emphasizing its commitment to transforming tribal areas through development and empowerment. The initiative builds on the success of the PM-JANMAN scheme, which was launched on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in November 2023, with a specific focus on the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) population. Under PM-JANMAN, projects worth ₹10,000 crores have already been sanctioned, making significant progress in tribal upliftment.
Education and Infrastructure Initiatives
During the event, Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated 40 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and laid the foundation stone for an additional 25 EMRSs, with a combined project cost of ₹2,834 crores. These schools are designed to provide quality education to tribal students, aiming to bridge the gap between tribal communities and mainstream educational standards. With the new additions, 74 EMRSs have been completed, contributing to the government’s goal of setting up 728 schools by March 2026, ensuring quality education for approximately 3.5 lakh tribal students.
In addition, the Prime Minister inaugurated projects worth ₹1,365 crores under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN). These projects include the construction of 1,387 km of roads, 120 Anganwadi centers, 250 Multi-Purpose Centers, and 10 school hostels, aimed at enhancing the infrastructure in tribal areas.
A Commitment to Sustainable Tribal Development
The DAJGUA is a significant step in the government’s efforts to promote inclusive growth in tribal areas, focusing on education, health, and livelihoods. The scheme also takes inspiration from the PM-JANMAN model, which has already made remarkable strides in improving living conditions for tribal populations, particularly through housing and social infrastructure development.
As part of his ongoing commitment to tribal welfare, Prime Minister Modi reiterated the government’s goal to create sustainable and self-reliant tribal communities, ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey toward a developed India. With ₹28,919.72 crores allocated for the EMRS scheme over the next five years, the government is set to recruit over 38,000 teaching and non-teaching staff to support the educational needs of tribal students.
