The Pradhan Mantri PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group) Development Mission was established in the Union Budget 2023-24 to provide basic services to PVTG families and communities.
What is the purpose of the budgetary announcement?
- The Pradhan Mantri PVTG Mission will be launched as part of the ‘Reaching The Last Mile’ initiative, which is one of seven Saptarishi priorities outlined in this year’s Budget.
- More information about this new product is awaited.
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
- Certain tribal communities have a declining or stagnant population, low literacy, pre-agricultural technology, and are economically backward.
- They typically live in remote areas with limited infrastructure and administrative support.
- Because they are few in number and have not achieved a significant level of social and economic development, these groups are among the most vulnerable segments of our society.
- 75 of these tribes have been identified and labelled as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
Origin of the concept
- According to the Dhebar Commission (1960-1961), there is an inequality in the rate of development among Scheduled Tribes.
- During the fourth Five Year Plan, a sub-category within Scheduled Tribes was established to identify groups considered to be at a lower level of development.
- This was created using the Dhebar Commission report and other research.
- “Primitive tribal group” was the name given to this sub-category.
Features of PVTGs
Among the characteristics of such a group are:
- Existence of a pre-agricultural system
- Hunting and gathering practise
- Population growth is either zero or negative.
- In comparison to other tribal groups, they have a very low literacy rate.
- PTGs were defined as groups that met at least one of the criteria.
- The Indian government proposed renaming “Primitive tribal group” as “Specially vulnerable tribal group” in 2006.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1577166