Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Pradhan Mantri-Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA) in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This ambitious initiative seeks to promote the all-round development of villages heavily populated by tribal communities, with a focus on improving economic opportunities for these populations.
Following the launch, Modi also delivered a speech at the closing ceremony of the BJP’s ‘Parivartan Yatra’ held in Gandhi Maidan, Matwari. This yatra, which was launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on September 20, traversed 76 out of Jharkhand’s 81 Assembly constituencies, showcasing the campaign’s significant outreach.
This event is noteworthy as it marks the fourth major national scheme that the Prime Minister has launched in Jharkhand. Prior schemes introduced by Modi in the state include the Ayushman Bharat Yojana in 2018, the PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana in 2019, and the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in 2023. This recent visit also follows closely on the heels of Modi’s September 15 appearance in Jharkhand, where he inaugurated six Vande Bharat Express trains in Jamshedpur and addressed an election rally.
Approved by the Union government on September 18, the PMJUGA scheme seeks to integrate over 63,000 villages with significant tribal populations into the national development framework. Spanning 549 districts across 30 states and Union Territories, the initiative has a substantial budget of $9.5 billion. The program aims to benefit over 50 million people belonging to tribal communities.
Key components of the scheme include constructing 2 million houses, laying 25,000 km of rural roads and bridges, and providing access to clean water, gas, and electricity. It also involves the creation of 100 tribal market centers, schools, mobile health units, and skill development centers to strengthen rural infrastructure. Additionally, the program underscores the importance of preserving tribal culture and traditions while fostering agricultural and horticultural activities to boost incomes.
After the formal launch at Vinoba Bhave University, Modi held discussions with representatives from 33 tribal groups, reinforcing the government’s commitment to improving the lives of tribal communities across the nation.
