A Door to a Housing Scheme, Tribals Find Hard to Open

The Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) was launched to improve the socio-economic conditions of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). However, challenges in implementation, especially in the registration process via a mobile app, hinder the scheme’s effectiveness and accessibility.

Challenges in Registration and Implementation

• Mobile App Usage: The 'Awaas+' app is intended to register PVTG households for the housing scheme. It records geographical location, household profiles, and bank details. However, widespread deletion of MGNREGA jobcards and discrepancies between village lists in the app and MGNREGA Management Information System create confusion and ineligibility issues.
• Data Mismatch: The registration process is plagued by data mismatches between entered details and Aadhaar records, leading to wrongful deletions and registration failures. These mismatches are critical as they determine eligibility for the housing benefits under PM-JANMAN.
• Network Issues and Complexity: The app's geo-tagging function faces network issues, causing chaos during registration. The complex dropdown lists for selecting banks add to the registration difficulties, making the process cumbersome for both beneficiaries and officials.

Inclusivity and Accessibility Challenges

• Lack of PVTG-specific Data: The app does not explicitly capture PVTG-specific information, defaulting to 'ST' in the social category field. This oversight results in non-PVTG registrations, prompting local officials to demand additional certification from sarpanches/mukhiyas, which can be problematic in mixed communities.
• Banking Options: Despite the establishment of the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) to enhance financial inclusion, it is not listed in the app’s banking options. This omission complicates the financial transactions for PVTG households in remote areas.
• Community Engagement: Involving gram sabhas and reinstating deleted jobcards could improve scheme effectiveness. However, the current lack of proactive community engagement initiatives hampers the program’s reach and impact.

Ensuring Effectiveness and Support

• Streamlining Registration: Simplifying the registration process, updating the app to include the IPPB, and addressing technical issues can facilitate better participation of PVTGs. Accurate data collection and alignment with existing records are crucial for the success of the scheme.
• Proactive Measures: Reinstating deleted jobcards, ensuring proper guidance for registrations without Aadhaar, and providing clear instructions within the app can mitigate many challenges faced by PVTGs.
• Enhancing Inclusivity: Recognizing the unique needs of PVTGs and tailoring the app and support mechanisms accordingly can foster a more inclusive and equitable implementation of the housing scheme.

UPSC Mains Questions:

Q. Discuss the challenges faced by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in accessing welfare schemes. How can technology be leveraged to overcome these challenges?