Bhubaneswar: The state government’s Mukhyamantri Janajati Jeevika Mission-2 (MMJM), aimed at empowering families belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and improving their overall quality of life, is awaiting final approval of its operational guidelines before being rolled out at the grassroots level.
The state Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, approved the mission August 1. However, the final guidelines are yet to reach the field. A senior government official said the department has sought the government’s approval to expedite the process and implement the mission at the earliest.
According to departmental information, PVTG communities in 19 districts will benefit from the MMJM mission. More than 800,000 tribal families in 134 Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) and Micro Project Agency (MPA) blocks across these districts are proposed to be covered.
The government will spend Rs 2,995 crore over 60 months to provide various benefits to PVTG families under the mission. The entire expenditure will be borne by the state government. The mission will primarily focus on strengthening the livelihoods of tribal families through agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, animal husbandry, sericulture and forest-based activities.
Traditional arts, handicrafts, handlooms and other non-farm activities will also be promoted. Support will be provided for self-employment and small enterprises. A state-level steering committee will oversee and monitor implementation of the mission.
According to the draft guidelines, the secretary of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development department will head the committee. The director of Scheduled Tribes, director of Agriculture and Food Production, director of Horticulture, director of Fisheries, director of Sericulture and managing director of TDCCOL will be members.
The MMJM mission director will function as the member-convener. The committee will meet at least twice a year to review the mission’s progress and consider various proposals. At the district level, a district-level steering committee will serve as the main agency for implementation and monitoring.
Its responsibilities will include preparing district-level plans, coordinating among implementing agencies, working jointly with various departments, monitoring programmes and conducting regular reviews of progress. The MMJM mission will focus on increasing the income of tribal families, diversifying their livelihoods and promoting self-reliance.