Government boosts tribal development with 200% budget increase

The government has increased the financial allocation for tribal development by nearly 200 per cent, amounting to Rs 13,000 crore, announced Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Addressing a meeting in Shillong on Saturday, he stressed that the Union Budget 2024 charts a course for India towards ‘Viksit Bharat.’

Sonowal stressed the Budget’s objective to boost economic, industrial and agricultural sectors while empowering youth, women and tribal communities in the Northeast. “The budgetary provision for tribal empowerment has increased by almost 200% with an allocation of Rs 13,000 crores allocated for tribal welfare,” he stated.

He further indicated that the Budget supports traditional artisans, craftsmen, Self Help Groups (SHGs), Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women entrepreneurs by strengthening programmes like PM Vishwakarma, PM SVANidhi, National Livelihood Mission and Stand Up India. A notable new scheme, Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram, aims at promoting social justice and socio-economic conditions for tribal communities, benefiting 5 crore tribal people in 63,000 villages.

Focusing on agricultural development in the Northeast, Sonowal announced plans to make the region a hub for natural farming and horticulture. “The allocation of Rs 598 crore for sustainable agriculture projects in the budget will mitigate the impact of climate change and improve agricultural production,” he explained.

The Union Budget also prioritises manufacturing, with an aim to strengthen the sector through the MUDRA programme and a new credit guarantee scheme for SMEs. “The Direct Benefit Transfer programme provides Rs 15,000 in instalments to new employees,” Sonowal noted, adding that 1,000 ITIs will be upgraded besides setting up women’s hostels and crèches to support the female workforce.

For infrastructure development, the Finance Minister has allocated Rs 19,338 crore for the fourth phase of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, which aims to improve road and highway connectivity in the Northeast and enhance all-weather access to remote areas.

(With input from agencies.)