The Indian government recently tweaked the “Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS)” and renamed it to “Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY)” for the 2021-2026 period. This scheme is designed to augment the efforts of state governments in the development and welfare of tribal communities. It provides Special Central Assistance, complementing the State Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), targeting primarily villages with a considerable tribal populace.
Revision of Scheme Guidelines and New Implementation Approach
The SCA to TSS Scheme has been revised to ensure comprehensive development of selected villages. This revision gives attention to filling gaps in critical socio-economic ‘Monitorable Indicators’ across various sectors including water, sanitation, health, nutrition, education, and agricultural best practices. The scheme has introduced a new approach where needs are identified based on a ‘Need Assessment exercise.’ A ‘Village Development Plan’ (VDP) is formed from the data gathered through this exercise, PMAAGY serving as the platform for other schemes’ implementation to achieve saturation.
Objectives of Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana
The objectives of PMAAGY include preparing a Village Development Plan per the village’s needs, potential, and aspirations, maximizing the coverage of individual/family benefit schemes, improving infrastructure in key sectors such as health, education, connectivity, and livelihood. The scheme aims to fill gaps in eight crucial development sectors: road and telecom connectivity, schools, Anganwadi Centres, Health Sub-centre, drinking water facility, drainage, and solid waste management.
Safeguards for Scheduled Tribes in Indian Constitution
The Constitution of India doesn’t explicitly define the term ‘tribe.’ However, it introduced the term ‘Scheduled Tribe’ through Article 342 (i), where the president can specify which tribes or tribal communities will be acknowledged as Scheduled Tribes. The Constitution provides multiple safeguards for Scheduled Tribes. These include Educational & Cultural Safeguards such as Article 15(4), Article 29, and Article 46. Additionally, there are Political Safeguards like Article 330, Article 332, and Article 243. An Administrative Safeguard is also set under Article 275.
Other Tribal Population Initiatives
Several initiatives were put forward to ensure the welfare of the tribal population in India. These include TRIFED, a national-level apex organization established in 1987, aimed at activating the Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) in the villages. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MTA) partnered with Microsoft to digitally transform tribal schools like Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and Ashram Schools. A scheme named “Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups” was implemented for the comprehensive socio-economic development of 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Other programmes include Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana and Eklavya Model Residential Schools, designed to provide quality education in tribal areas.
Conclusionless Examination of Important Schemes
It’s worth noting that the tribal population in India has been recognized through tools like UPSC Civil Services Examination, through which questions about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are asked. Equally important is the discussion about the significant number of tribal languages, with seven having their recognized scripts. All these measures reflect the sustained efforts by the Indian government in ensuring the welfare and development of its tribal population.
