The government may count Extremely Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) separately in the upcoming census for the first time
New Delhi – The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) last month wrote a letter to the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI) urging that ‘Extremely Vulnerable Tribal Groups’ (PVTGs) be counted separately in the upcoming census.
The ministry said in its letter that the exact number of PVTG families and individuals as well as their demographic, cultural and socio-economic aspects should be recorded. The ministry believes that this information will be helpful in the effective implementation of schemes targeted for PVTGs—such as the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN).
Who are PVTGs?
Extremely Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are a special sub-category of Scheduled Tribes (STs). They share some common characteristics—decreasing or stagnant population, geographical isolation, pre-agricultural lifestyle (hunting and gathering), economic backwardness and extremely low literacy levels.
This category was formed on the recommendations of the Dhebar Commission set up in 1960-61. The commission’s chairman and then MP U.N. Dhebar studied the socio-economic status of scheduled tribes in collaboration with state governments. His report found that some tribes were far more vulnerable than others.
First, 52 groups were identified as PVTGs during the Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-79). Later, 23 more tribal groups were added in 2006. Currently, there are a total of 75 PVTGs in the country, spread across 18 states and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Have PVTGs ever been counted separately before?
No census has so far counted PVTGs separately. Being a sub-category of Scheduled Tribes, they are usually included in the broader list of STs. At times, multiple PVTG groups are counted under the same name.
In a reply to the Lok Sabha in December 2016, the ministry had said that 40 of the 75 PVTGs have been notified as ‘single entry’ Scheduled Tribes under Article 342 of the Constitution.
For example, the Baiga community of Madhya Pradesh was counted separately in the 2011 census. But the Abujh Maria, Bharia, Hill Korba and Camara were not listed separately. Later in 2013, Abujh Maria and Hill Korba were added to the ST list of Chhattisgarh through a law of Parliament.
According to parliamentary replies, only data of main STs is published by the RGI, which also includes information on their sub-groups and synonymous groups.
What is the estimated population of PVTGs?
In November 2023, the central government launched the PM JANMAN scheme at a cost of Rs 24,104 crore. It aims to improve the socio-economic condition, health, education, livelihood and infrastructure of PVTG communities. The scheme is being implemented in more than 200 districts.
The central and state governments jointly conducted a comprehensive survey for this scheme. In this, data of PVTG settlements was collected and the lack of infrastructure was assessed.
According to the survey, the estimated number of PVTGs across the country is 47.5 lakh. Of these, the highest number of 13.22 lakh is in Madhya Pradesh. This is followed by 6.7 lakh in Maharashtra and about 5.18 lakh PVTGs in Andhra Pradesh.
The 2011 census also revealed that the population of 13 PVTGs in the country was less than 1,000. These include Jarawa, Onge, Sentinelese and Shompen of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Apart from this, Raji of Uttarakhand, Kota of Tamil Nadu, Birhor of Odisha, Camera of Madhya Pradesh and Savar, Birhor, Birjia, Korwa, Parhaiya of Bihar also come in this list.
The group with the least population was Sentinelese, whose number was recorded as only 15. At the same time, the highest population of 4,14,526 was of Baiga community of Madhya Pradesh.
Why is separate census necessary?
Government officials say that by getting the correct number of PVTGs and their socio-economic data, major flaws in the implementation of schemes can be removed. Especially schemes like health and education can be implemented more effectively.
Also, this information will also help in understanding whether the criteria set for identifying PVTGs are still relevant today or there is a need to change them.
This move will not only highlight the real condition of the tribal groups but will also help the government to formulate a concrete strategy towards bringing them into the mainstream and improving their living conditions.
Rajan Chaudhary
Courtesy : Hindi News