No funds to six states under PVTG welfare scheme in 2022-23 due to non-fulfilment of criteria Govt

New Delhi, Feb 6 (PTI) The Centre on Thursday said several states, including Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, did not receive funds under a scheme for socioeconomic development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in 2022-23 due to non-fulfilment of conditions such as submission of utilisations certificates.
    Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey said the tribal affairs ministry implemented the "Development of PVTGs" scheme for socioeconomic and holistic development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and funds under the scheme were provided on the basis of proposals from the states and Union territories.
    The disbursement of funds under the scheme is subject to submission of utilisation certificates, progress reports and other compliances, he said.
    "No funds were released to states like Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand under the Development of PVTGs scheme during 2022-23 due to non-fulfilment of said conditions," he said.
    PVTGs are characterised by pre-agricultural level of technology, stagnant or declining population growth, extremely low literacy levels and a subsistence level of economy.
    Seventy-five such tribal groups in 18 states and one Union Territory have been identified.
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) on November 15, 2023, with a total outlay of Rs 24,104 crore for the socioeconomic development of the 75 communities.
    The mission aims to provide basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water, improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, electrification of households, and sustainable livelihood opportunities by 2026.
    These objectives are being met through 11 interventions implemented by nine line ministries.
    The minister said no new activities or projects had been approved under the Development of PVTGs scheme after the launch of PM JANMAN, except for committed liabilities.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)