Jharkhand government is working on a Tribal Development Digital Atlas – a virtual map that will record the socio-economic conditions of all Tribal communities in the state.
The Tribal Development Digital Atlas will be prepared by the Department of Welfare, which will link Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Community (PVTGs) into the social fabric of the country.
In the first phase, a basic survey of all the PVTG families will be conducted by the government. “Based on the survey a comprehensive action plan for the implementation of major socio-economic infrastructure projects and livelihood centric initiatives will be implemented on a mission mode,” the statement said.
Through this program, 67,501 PVTG families that make up 2,92,359 population residing in 3,705 villages are being targeted by August 2024.
The state government will focus on their health, livelihood, and social infrastructure. The government will also ensure that the families reside in pucca houses (permanent house structures), sanitation, electricity, pension, Ayushman card, pure drinking water, and similar programs.
“Along with the critical gap survey on the current status of basic facilities of tribal villages and the development parameters, details regarding education, skill capability, employment, income, standard of living, etc, of the PVTG households and habitations will also be prepared,” the statement said.
PVTGs are a sub-classification of a Scheduled Tribe (ST) that is considered to be more vulnerable to social inequalities than regular STs. The list of PVTGs was created by the Indian government to uplift the tribes in terms of life standards and basic amenities. Currently, PVTGs reside in 18 states and one union territory of India.
The PVTGs will be integrated into the social – infrastructure and consistent work shall be done to strengthen their traditional livelihood activities.
“Jharkhand Tribal Development Society ( JTDS) has been working on this through facilitating chickpea cultivation and SHGs and cluster-based work… Efforts will be made towards increasing the income by making the products accessible to the markets through Sidhu Kanhu Van Upyog Federation,” the statement said.
The state government will also provide free education and awareness amongst the communities. Free residential coaching will be given to youths from eight communities namely Asur, Korba, Mal Paharia, Birhor, Sabar, Birjia, and Saur Paharia.
A total of 150 youths including 60 girls are being coached for various examinations, making it the country’s first residential training program for PVTGs.
