Budget boost for Tribes

The Union Budget 2023-24 has issued funds for welfare of Tribals which is in line with the Odisha’s scheme.

The Central government’s PM-PVTG (Pradhan Mantri Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups)programme is in line with the Odisha government’s own PVTG Empowerment and Livelihood Improvement Programme (OPELIP), launched in 2015 for the upliftment of tribals, giving the Odisha government hope that it will have more funds for its special programme for Adivasi communities.
Funds allocated:A budget of Rs.15, 000 crore is earmarked for the purpose.
Objective of the scheme:
The PM-PVTG scheme aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of the tribes listed as beneficiaries, by extending basic facilities such as housing, clean drinking water, sanitation, improved access to education, health, nutrition, roads, telecom connectivity and sustained livelihood opportunities, to them.

PVTGs in India:

There are 75 PVTGs identified in India.
Odisha has 13, namely Birhor, Bondo, Chuktia Bhunjia, Didayi, Juang, Kharia, Dongria Kondh, Lanjia Saora, Lodha, Mankidia, Paudi Bhuyan and Saora.
The PVTGs are spread over 32,000 households in 542 villages under 84 gram panchayats of 12 districts.
Their population at present stands at 2.5 lakh in the state alone.