Context:

• The Government in Budget 2023-24 made an announcement of Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission.

More about the news:

• As per the report submitted by the Officers of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, it has been observed that PVTG habitations need focused approach for improvement in Infrastructure facilities including road and internet connectivity etc. 
• There is also a need for strengthening health and Education facilities to improve school drop out rate and livelihood opportunities.

About the Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission:

• Aim: To improve socio-economic conditions of the particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation and sustainable livelihood opportunities. 
• Fund Allocation: The mission envisages availability of Rs.15,000 crore from the Development Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes, for activities to be undertaken in the next three years under the Mission.
• Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Who are PVTGs?

• A particularly vulnerable tribal group or PVTG is a section of a Scheduled Tribe that is considered more vulnerable than a regular Scheduled Tribe. 
• Basic characteristics: They are mostly homogenous, with a small population, relatively physically isolated, social institutes cast in a simple mold, absence of written language, relatively simpler technology and a slower rate of change,etc.

Identification of PVTG:

• Dhebar Commission: In 1973, the Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category, which are less developed among the tribal groups. In 2006, the Government of India renamed the PTGs as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). 
• Population: Accordingly 75 PTVGs have been identified in the country. PVTG of Sahariyas has the highest population while the highest number of communities categorized as PVTGs in the country is found in Odisha.

Government of India follows the following criteria for identification of PVTGs:

• Pre-agricultural level of technology
• Low level of literacy
• Economic backwardness
• A declining or stagnant population

News Source: PIB