Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

 

In 2006, during the United Progressive Alliance Regime under the leadership of Prime Minister, Mr. Manmohan Singh, the Government of India initiated National Tribal Policy. The primary aim of the policy was to correct several mishaps of the earlier policies centering on the Tribal population of the country. It became particularly intriguing because of the rising concern in areas like Red Corridor where Maoist insurgency was on the rise that became a threat to the integrity of the country. The overall goal of the National tribal Policy was to bring tribes into the ‘mainstream’. This policy sees Neheruvian Panchsheel as rather abstract ideas and puts thrust on the target orientation and specifications in the ‘development’ of the Tribal population. The following issues were prioritized in the National Tribal Policy:

·         Formal education

·         Traditional wisdom

·         Health infrastructure

·         Displacement and resettlement issues

·         Forest and villages

·         Shifting cultivation

·         Land alienation

·         Intellectual property rights

·         Tribal languages

 

This policy focuses on Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) which is since then revised as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).  

Definition:

PVTGs constitute the most vulnerable section among tribals and inhabit isolated, remote and difficult areas in small and scattered hamlets/ habitats. The scheme aims at planning their socio-economic development in a comprehensive manner while retaining the culture and heritage of the community by adopting habitat development approach and intervening in all spheres of their social and economic life, so that a visible impact is made in improvement of the quality of life of PVTGs. During the Fourth Five Year Plan, a sub-category was created within Scheduled Tribes to identify the most vulnerable groups which were considered to be at the lowest levels of development. Consequently, on the basis of the Dhebar Commission report, a criterion for identifying Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups was established as:

·         Pre-agricultural level of technology,

·         Low level of literacy,

·         Economic backwardness,

·         A declining or stagnant population.

 

Policy Thrust for PVTGs

Activities which are prioritized under the PVTGs include:

a)      Livelihood,

b)      Employment opportunities and economic development of PVTGs through Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy, and Skilling/ Vocational Training

c)      Education, (Literacy, Drop-out, Residential schools in addition to SSA/RMSA).

d)      Health, (Gap filling for effective health service delivery beyond NHM etc).

e)      Provision of safe drinking water (gap filling where line Ministries do not provide complete/universal coverage),

f)       Land distribution, land development,

g)      Social security,

h)      Housing and Habitat,

i)        Connectivity (Road and Telecommunication),

j)        Supply of Electricity (gap filling where line Ministries do not provide complete/universal coverage), Solar power, with provision of maintenance,

k)      Irrigation (gap filling where line Ministries do not provide complete/universal coverage),

l)        Urban Development,

m)    Culture,

n)      Sports including traditional and tribal games and sports,

o)      Any other innovative activity for the comprehensive socio-economic development of PVTGs

For detailed description of the Policy prescription follow this link: https://tribal.nic.in/downloads/NGO/Latter-Notice/14.pdf

 

List of the PVTGs

 

STATE	TRIBES FOUND
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana	Bodo Gadaba, Bondo Poroja, Chenchu, Dongria Khond,  Gutob Gadaba, Khond Poroja, Kolam, Kondareddis, Konda Savaras, Kutia Khond, Parengi Poroja, thoti
Bihar and Jharkhand	Asurs, Birhor, Birjia, Hill Kharia, Konvas, Mal Paharia, Parhaiyas, Sauda Paharia, Savar
Gujarat	Kathodi, Kohvalia, Padhar, Siddi, Kolgha
Karnataka	Jenu Kuruba, Koraga
Kerala	Cholanaikayan (a section of Kattunaickans), Kadar, Kattunayakan, Kurumbas, Koraga
Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh	Abujh Macias, Baigas,  Bharias, Hill Korbas, Kamars, Saharias, Birhor
Maharashtra	Katkaria (Kathodia), Kolam, Maria Gond
Manipur	Marram Nagas
Odisha	Birhor, Bondo, Didayi, Dongria-Khond, Juangs, Kharias, Kutia Kondh, Lanjia Sauras, Lodhas,  Mankidias, Paudi Bhuyans, Soura, Chuktia Bhunjia
Rajasthan	Seharias
Tamil Nadu	Kattu Nayakans, Kotas, Kurumbas, Irulas, Paniyans, Todas
Tripura	Reangs
Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand	Buxas, Rajis
West Bengal	Birhor, Lodhas, Totos
Andaman and nicobar islands	Great Andamanese, Jarawas, Onges, Sentinelese, Shorn Pens