In the initial 100 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new term, the government has set forth an agenda focused on empowering Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Dalits, minorities, and tribal communities. Central to this agenda is the Prime Minister’s Developed Tribal Village Campaign, which aims to uplift 63,000 tribal villages and improve the socio-economic conditions of approximately 5 million tribal individuals.
The National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme has been broadened to include waste-pickers alongside sanitation workers, promoting their social and economic empowerment. Additionally, 300,000 identification cards have been issued for persons with disabilities from Scheduled Tribes, with 117,000 cards specifically for individuals aged 60 and above.
The Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM SURAJ) scheme has also been expanded to enhance access to concessional loans for Scheduled Castes (SCs), OBCs, and sanitation workers. This initiative aims to improve livelihood opportunities and financial inclusion, providing tools for sustainable development to historically marginalized groups.
Significant strides have been made in educational empowerment through the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) initiative, which currently enrolls over 123,000 students across 405 schools. This program aims to provide quality education to tribal students and bridge existing educational gaps. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs plans to establish a total of 728 EMRSs by 2026, with 708 already sanctioned.
To further support tribal students in sports, 15 Centers of Excellence for Sports will be set up in EMRSs. Moreover, 40 new schools have been established, and 110 existing institutions have been outfitted with smart classrooms to modernize the learning experience and integrate technology into education.
In addition to these initiatives, the recently introduced Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to improve the management and preservation of Waqf properties through a digital platform for online registration and monitoring, enhancing transparency and reducing disputes.
Prime Minister Modi has reiterated that the government’s priority is the development of tribals, the poor, Dalits, women, and youth, highlighting the various schemes designed to benefit these communities.
