PM JANMAN Scheme, Objectives, Focus Areas and Challenges

PM JANMAN Scheme launched to integrate tribal communities into the mainstream through 11 critical interventions. Check here Focus Areas and Implementation Challenges of PM JANMAN Scheme.

Table of Contents

Context

The Government launched the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) in November 2023 to improve the socio-economic conditions of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
The ‘Housing scheme’ within PM-JANMAN aims to provide secure housing for 4.90 lakh PVTG households by 2026.
However, the registration process using the ‘Awaas+’ mobile app has encountered several challenges.

PM JANMAN Scheme

About PM JANMAN Scheme
Launched	15th November 2023, on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.
Type	Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
Funding	The Union Cabinet approved PM JANMAN with a total outlay of ₹24,104 crore (Central Share: ₹15,336 crore and State Share: ₹8,768 crore). The program will be implemented from FY 2023-24 to 2025-26.

Focus Areas of PM JANMAN Scheme

PM-JANMAN focuses on 11 critical interventions across 9 Ministries, including the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Ministry of Ayush: The Ministry of Ayush will establish Ayush Wellness Centres according to existing norms.
- Ayush facilities will be extended to PVTG habitations through Mobile Medical Units.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: This ministry will facilitate skill and vocational training in PVTG habitations.
- It will also set up Multipurpose centres and hostels tailored to the suitable skills of these communities.

S.No.	Activity	Beneficiary/Targets	Cost Norms
1	Provision of Pucca Houses	4.90 lakh households	Rs 2.39 lakhs/house
2	Connecting Roads	8000 kilometers	Rs 1.00 crore/kilometer
3a	Piped Water Supply (Individual Households)	All PVTG habitations	As per schematic norms
3b	Community Water Supply	2500 villages/habitations	As per actual cost
4	Mobile Medical Units with Medicine Cost	1000 units (10 per district)	Rs 33.88 lakhs/MMU
5a	Construction of Hostels	500	Rs 2.75 crore/hostel
5b	Vocational Education & Skilling	60 Aspirational PVTG blocks	Rs 50 lakhs/block
6	Construction of Anganwadi Centers	2500	Rs 12 lakhs/AWC
7	Construction of Multipurpose Centers (MPC)	1000	Rs 60 lakhs/MPC
8a	Energization of Households (Last Mile Connectivity)	57,000	Rs 22,500/HH
8b	Provision of 0.3 KW Solar Off-grid System	100,000	Rs 50,000/HH or as per cost
9	Solar Lighting in Streets & MPCs	1500 units	Rs 1,00,000/unit
10	Setting up of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs)	500	Rs 15 lakhs/VDVK
11	Installation of Mobile Towers	3000 villages	As per schematic norms cost

Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan Scheme (PM-JANMAN)

Historical Background

The Dhebar Commission (1960-61): It identified disparities among Scheduled Tribes, leading to the creation of the Primitive Tribal Groups (PTG) category.

In 2006, the PTG category was renamed to PVTGs, characterised by:
- Pre-agricultural lifestyles
- Low literacy rates
- Small or stagnant populations
- Subsistence economies

Facts

India has a Scheduled Tribe (ST) population of 10.45 crore according to the 2011 census.
Out of this, 75 communities in 18 States and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are categorised as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
- Odisha has the highest number of PVTGs (15), followed by Andhra Pradesh (12), Bihar and Jharkhand (9), Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh (7), Tamil Nadu (6), and Kerala and Gujarat (5 each).
- Rest of the communities are spread across Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Tripura, and Manipur.
- All 4 tribal groups in the Andaman + 1 in the Nicobar Islands (Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, Sentinelese, Shompens, and Nicobarese) are recognized as PVTGs.

Current Vulnerabilities: These tribes comprise around 14.6 lakh households and live in remote, often inaccessible areas, relying on pre-agricultural methods and facing low literacy rates, economic backwardness, and stagnant populations.
Government Initiatives: As announced in the Budget Speech 2023-24, the Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of PVTGs.
- The mission will provide basic facilities such as:
  - Safe housing
  - Clean drinking water and sanitation
  - Improved access to education, health, and nutrition
- Funding and Implementation: An amount of ₹15,000 crore will be allocated for the mission over the next three years under the Development Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes (DAPST).

Challenges in the Registration Process

Jobcard Deletion: A mandatory requirement for registration is a jobcard, but many PVTGs have been wrongly excluded due to widespread deletions of MGNREGA workers.
Pre-populated Villages: Discrepancies between the app and MGNREGA village lists cause confusion.
- Example: Vanjari Panchayat in Andhra Pradesh has 22 villages in the app but 31 in MGNREGA MIS.
Data Mismatch: Data collection is crucial for Direct Benefit Transfers (DBTs), but mismatches between registration details and Aadhaar records have caused issues, as seen with the wrongful deletion of MGNREGA workers and suspension of PM KISAN entitlements.
PVTG Information: The app defaults to the ‘ST’ category, causing non-PVTG registrations and necessitating certification from local officials, who may act against PVTG interests.
Aadhaar-Related Issues: The app requires Aadhaar-linked names but lacks guidance for those without Aadhaar. It also doesn’t capture specific PVTG information, leading to ineligible registrations.
Geo-Tagging and Network Issues: The geo-tagging feature faces challenges due to network problems.
Cumbersome Bank Selection: The app’s extensive dropdown lists for bank and branch selection create unnecessary complexity.
- Example: The app’s dropdown lists over 300 banks and 500 branches for options like ‘State Bank of India’, complicating the process.
  - The India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), crucial for financial inclusion in remote areas, is missing from the app’s list of banks.

Potential Solutions

Streamlining Registration: Simplifying the registration process and updating the mobile app can improve accessibility for PVTGs.
Inclusion of IPPB: Incorporating the IPPB as a bank option would enhance financial inclusion for PVTGs.
Community Engagement: Involving gram sabhas in the process can ensure better representation and address concerns of PVTGs.
Reinstating Jobcards: Efforts should be made to reinstate wrongly deleted jobcards to ensure eligible PVTGs can register.

FAQs

What is the PM-JANMAN Scheme?

PM-JANMAN is a government initiative launched on November 15, 2023, designed to integrate tribal communities into the mainstream. It encompasses various interventions aimed at improving the well-being of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

What are the key focus areas of the PM-JANMAN Scheme?

The scheme prioritizes 11 critical interventions overseen by 9 line Ministries, covering sectors such as safe housing, clean drinking water, healthcare, education, nutrition, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.