NEWS

• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has urged the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI) to enumerate PVTGs separately in the upcoming Census.
• Aim: To capture demographic, cultural, and socio-economic details for targeted schemes like PM JANMAN.

HIGHLIGHTS

Role of RGI

• RGI, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is responsible for conducting the decennial Census and maintaining vital population statistics.

Identification of PVTGs

• Origin: Based on Dhebar Commission (1960–61) recommendations, recognizing intra-tribal disparities.
• Criteria:
  • Stagnant/declining population
  • Geographical isolation
  • Pre-agrarian economy (hunting, gathering)
  • Low literacy and economic backwardness
• Numbers: Initially 52 (5th FYP, 1974–79), expanded to 75 groups in 2006 across 18 States and A&N Islands.

Challenges Faced

• Persistent poverty and malnutrition
• Limited access to health, education, and livelihood opportunities
• Geographic isolation hinders policy outreach
• Outdated classification parameters questioned, especially isolation as a marker.

Government Initiatives

• PM JANMAN Scheme (2023–28):
  • Budget: ₹24,104 crore
  • Targets 75 PVTG communities in 200+ districts
  • Focus: Housing, safe drinking water, sanitation, health, education, connectivity, and sustainable livelihoods.
• Survey Findings (2023): Estimated 47.5 lakh PVTGs; major populations in Madhya Pradesh (13.22 lakh), Maharashtra (6.7 lakh), Andhra Pradesh (5.18 lakh).

Significance of Separate Census Data

• Enables precise beneficiary targeting for welfare schemes.
• Helps in plugging implementation gaps in health and education.
• Provides evidence to re-examine PVTG classification criteria.

Key Takeaway

• PVTGs, a sub-category of Scheduled Tribes, remain among the most deprived communities.
• Separate enumeration in Census 2025 will strengthen evidence-based policymaking, ensuring inclusive development and constitutional justice.