New Delhi, June 12: The government’s ‘Antyodaya’ initiative has successfully connected India’s most marginalized communities to the mainstream of inclusive development. The aim is to bring those who have lagged behind in the development race into the center of opportunities and progress. This information was shared in an official fact sheet released on Friday.
The fact sheet highlights that these efforts are being advanced through the Prime Minister’s Tribal Justice Campaign (PM Janman) scheme, which has a budget of ₹24,104 crores. This program is specifically designed for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), who are among the most isolated and disadvantaged communities in India, many of whom lack basic amenities such as permanent housing, clean drinking water, electricity, and roads.
Launched in November 2023, the PM Janman scheme aims to address these deficiencies through coordinated efforts from various ministries. The program targets 75 PVTG communities residing in 18 states and one union territory, implementing 11 major interventions across nine ministries.
These interventions include housing, road connectivity, piped drinking water supply, mobile medical units, Anganwadi centers, hostels, electrification, mobile towers, multi-purpose centers, forest produce development centers, and vocational skill training.
According to the fact sheet, 780,000 permanent homes have been constructed in tribal villages, and clean drinking water has been provided to over 28,303 villages. Additionally, 589,812 tribal families have received electricity connections, significantly improving their quality of life.
Infrastructure in tribal areas has expanded rapidly. Students from marginalized communities now have greater access to education. Sanitation workers have gained institutional recognition and better safety measures. Furthermore, backward and nomadic communities have also been included in targeted welfare schemes.
Over the past 12 years, the expansion of Eklavya Model Residential Schools has strengthened the education system in remote tribal areas. Following 2018, these schools have rapidly expanded, providing modern residential education closer to Scheduled Tribe communities. By 2026, 499 schools will have enrolled over 156,000 students, with 323 new schools currently under construction.
This transformation is also evident at the geographical level. Tribal areas, aspirational districts, and remote settlements have become significant parts of development plans and monitoring. Improved coordination among various ministries has ensured that even previously inaccessible regions benefit from these initiatives.
Similarly, the PM-Ajay scheme, launched in 2021, focuses on the holistic development of Scheduled Caste-dominated villages. This program empowers marginalized Scheduled Caste communities by promoting infrastructure development, skill training, and employment opportunities.
Under the PM-Ajay scheme, the ‘Adarsh Gram’ component facilitates area-based development in Scheduled Caste-dominated villages. It provides additional support to meet local needs through the coordination of various programs and village development plans. This initiative covers 47,334 villages across 597 districts in 26 states, benefiting over 40 million Scheduled Caste citizens and more than 8.3 million families.
The statement further noted that this program has enhanced planning at the village level and improved infrastructure monitoring. Assessments of basic facilities have been conducted in over 25,000 villages, aiding in the systematic identification of deficiencies in roads, water supply, education, sanitation, and connectivity.
The government has also emphasized youth participation and job creation. Skill development, participation in self-help groups, and infrastructure development in villages are now part of broader efforts to enhance long-term economic engagement. These initiatives aim to connect marginalized communities with sustainable economic opportunities.
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