Raipur, 17 February 2024//The Chhattisgarh Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, has allocated Rs 300 crore for the overall development of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of the state. The allocation will improve the conditions of the Birhor, Hill Korba, Baiga, Kamar, and Abujhmaria communities residing in Chhattisgarh. The funding aims to provide essential amenities, such as replacing thatched houses with permanent cemented houses and ensuring access to clean drinking water. Presently, these tribes have to travel to distant water sources for drinking water.

The country witnessed a historic milestone with the introduction of the Pradhan Mantri Janman Yojana, aimed at uplifting PVTGs—a first-of-its-kind initiative. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the scheme in Ulihatu, the birthplace of Lord Birsa Munda. Under the directions of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the Chhattisgarh Government is focusing on the rapid implementation of this scheme. He visited the Birhor settlements and interacted with the people of the Birhor community during his recent visit to the Raigarh district. He also assessed the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Janman Yojana in the district. Regular camps organised by the State Government are helping PVTGs to avail the benefits of this scheme. The allocation of Rs 300 crore in the state budget will boost development efforts in the challenging geographical terrain inhabited by these tribes. The contaminated water sources, like Jhiriya, available near the tribal settlements have led to various health issues. The current state government is making efforts to provide clean drinking water and other basic amenities, which were previously a challenge.

Pradhan Mantri Janman Yojana not only ensures the availability of basic amenities but also generates employment opportunities, particularly benefiting the Surguja and Bastar regions. Fostering local entrepreneurship is key to creating jobs for tribal communities. Numerous Janman Mitras and Sakhis are playing a pivotal role in extending scheme benefits to grassroots levels. They are interacting with PVTGs in their mother tongue. They are providing essential information, assisting with form-filling, and liaising with administrative officers to ensure seamless scheme implementation.