Focus: GS II: Government Policies and Interventions
Why in News?
In Union Budget 2023 speech, Finance Minister announced some targeted schemes for tribal welfare, ranging from better education to clean drinking water to sanitation.
Facilities for Eklavya Schools
- 38,800 teachers and support staff to be recruited in next three years for 740 Eklavya Model Residential Schools
- Schools to serve 3.5 lakh tribal students, with capacity of 480 students each
Eliminating Sickle Cell Anaemia
- Mission to be launched to eliminate the disease by 2047
- Awareness creation, universal screening of 7 crore people, and counselling through collaboration of central and state governments
Focus on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
- Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission to be launched to improve socio-economic conditions of PVTGs
- Saturating PVTG families and habitations with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities
- Rs 15,000 crore to be made available to implement the mission in next three years under the Development Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes
Note: PVTGs are the most vulnerable section among tribals and inhabit isolated, remote, and difficult areas in small and scattered hamlets/habitations, with declining or stagnant population, low level of literacy, pre-agricultural level of technology, and economic backwardness.
