Empowering Tribal Communities through PM Janman: A Success Story from Rayagada , Odisha
In the one-day national conference on the PM Janman scheme held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, Mrs. Parul Patwari, Collector and District Magistrate of Rayagada Odisha, shared an inspiring account of how the initiative is transforming the lives of tribal communities in her district. Speaking at the event organized by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Mrs. Patwari emphasized the pivotal role of the scheme in reaching the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) residing in the most remote and inaccessible areas of Odisha.
Mrs. Patwari highlighted the unique demographic composition of Raigarh, where 56% of the population belongs to tribal communities, including 5% categorized as PVTGs such as the Dongria Kandha and Lanjia Soura tribes from Putasingh of Gunupur Block These communities inhabit hilly terrains that pose significant challenges for the delivery of government services. However, through the convergence of various state and central government schemes under the PM Janman initiative, Rayagada has witnessed a revolutionary shift in public service delivery.
“We are leveraging the PM Janman scheme to ensure doorstep delivery of essential services to the PVTG population. Our team has conducted extensive Information and Communication (IC) campaigns to create awareness and achieve saturation in the implementation of key schemes. By setting up camps directly in the villages, we have been able to overcome linguistic and cultural barriers, providing tribal communities with easy access to services such as health, education, and welfare benefits,” said Mrs. Patwari.
One of the significant achievements of this initiative has been the issuance of crucial documents, including caste, income, and residential certificates, directly in the villages. Many children from PVTG communities, who previously lacked birth certificates, have now been registered, ensuring their access to education and other social benefits. Furthermore, saturation efforts under the Aadhaar card initiative have enabled these communities to link with Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes, bringing financial assistance directly to their accounts.
Mrs. Patwari also shared the success story of Sakata Village in the Muniguda block of Rayagada district, which has been declared a model village under the PM Janman scheme. This milestone, achieved on the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, underscores the effectiveness of a targeted and inclusive approach to development. “Sakata’s transformation into a model village is a testament to the power of convergence and collaboration. It is not just a celebration of progress but also a promise of a brighter future for our tribal communities,” she remarked.
The PM Janman initiative, with its focus on inclusivity and grassroots-level implementation, has become a beacon of hope for tribal communities in Rayagada and beyond. Mrs. Patwari’s presentation at the conference served as a powerful reminder of the impact of visionary policies and dedicated leadership in bridging the gap between the government and the most vulnerable sections of society.
By
C B Singh
Bureau chief
Southern Odisha
World Watch
