Category: National

The Union Government came up with a mega campaign on delivery of flagship tribal welfare schemes at grassroots. Work on PM-JANMAN (2023) on PVTGs and an umbrella program Dharti Aaba (2024). The outreach serves 500+ districts and it has geared at serving 1 lakh tribal villages. Some of the notable services are housing, electrification, Aadhaar, health cards, FRA titles, and financial inclusion. A portion of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, birth anniversary of Birsa Munda and tribal heritage.

Why in the news?

• The Centre initiated a two-week-long outreach drive June 15, 2025, as part of a one-year long Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh. 
• The campaign is targeted at last-mile delivery and the knowledge of two key tribal welfare initiatives, emulating the memory of Birsa Munda.

Key Highlights

What is PM-JANMAN (2023)?

• Name of Scheme: Pradhan Mantri janjati adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan.
• Targets PVTGs (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups).
• Explicit goals of long-lasting development: essential recording, training, health, housing and eligibility.

About Dharti Aaba Abhiyan:

• Name of scheme: Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan.
• Traditionally named after a tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda (Dharti Aaba = Father of Earth).
• Welfare provision under an umbrella program of 17 line ministries.
• Allocation in Budget: 79,156 crore of the Centre more than 100 years (5 years), the States 22823 crore.
• Provisions of hostels, homes (PMAY), electrification and support to livestock and fisheries.

Coverage:

• Campaign covers 500 + districts and 1 lakh tribal villages/ habitations.
• It involves benefit saturation camps, and doorstep delivery of services.
• Includes Aadhaar, Ayushman Bharat, Jan Dhan as well as the enrolment of pensions and title of Forest Rights Act.

Strategic Goals:

• Ensure the adoption and publicity of schemes, in particular Dharti Aaba which was just budgeted.
• Deeper outreach should be created by block-level and hamlet-level awareness.
• Include the tribal communities in the mainstream systems of delivering welfare.

Symbolic and Politico-Significance:

• As a tribute to the tribals, a part of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh (2024 to 25).
• It begins with the birth anniversary of Marks Birsa Munda (Nov 15).
• Trumpets tribal pride and advocates the tribal development agenda by the government.

Conclusion

The tribal outreach program of the Centre under PM-JANMAN and Dharti Aaba is a testimony of targeted effort of inclusive growth, tribal development, and the end of the services to the last mile. The project also supports the historic role played by tribal chieftains such as Birsa Munda and is consistent with the government aim of saturation cover with the empowerment of the marginal communities.