New Delhi: In a significant move aimed at uplifting tribal communities, Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, announced the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan while presenting the Union Budget 2024-25 in Parliament today.
The Finance Minister highlighted the transformative potential of the Abhiyan, which is designed to improve the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities across India. She emphasized that the government plans to adopt a ‘Saturation Approach’ for inclusive human resource development and social justice under this scheme.
“The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan will ensure saturation coverage for tribal families in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts,” said Smt. Sitharaman. This approach aims to ensure that no tribal family is left behind in the targeted areas.
The ambitious scheme is set to cover 63,000 villages, with the goal of benefiting 5 crore tribal people across the country. It will focus on various aspects of socio-economic development, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure, thereby fostering a holistic improvement in the living standards of tribal communities.
The announcement has been met with optimism from various quarters, with experts lauding the government’s commitment to addressing the needs of one of the most marginalized sections of society. The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan is expected to play a crucial role in bridging the development gap and promoting social equity in India.
As the government rolls out this new initiative, it remains to be seen how effectively the objectives of the Abhiyan will be implemented on the ground. However, the intent and scope of the scheme mark a significant step towards inclusive growth and development.