Archive · 12 Nov 2025
Jharkhand Tribals Mistakenly Believe Govt Buildings Are for Marriages Under PM-JANMAN Scheme
The government has a plan called PM-JANMAN to help some of the most vulnerable tribal groups in India.
As part of this plan, they are building special centers in villages.
These centers are meant to be places for health check-ups, learning new skills, and other important services.
However, in some villages in Jharkhand, the people who live there don't know what these buildings are for.
Because nobody told them clearly, many people think the buildings are just for wedding parties!
This is happening because the information about the PM-JANMAN scheme hasn't reached them properly.
Many villagers are still struggling with basic needs like clean water, electricity, and good schools, even though the government's plan is supposed to help with these problems.
It's like getting a new toy but not knowing how to play with it.
Tribal communities in Jharkhand mistakenly believe that government-funded buildings are for marriages, not multipurpose centers under the PM-JANMAN scheme.
Many Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are unaware of the PM-JANMAN scheme and its intended benefits, leading to misinformation and confusion about the purpose of new constructions.
The implementation of the PM-JANMAN scheme has been slow, with limited visible impact on improving basic services like health, education, and livelihood opportunities in the targeted communities.
Multipurpose Centers (MPCs), a key component of the scheme, are often underutilized, inaccessible due to remote locations, or lack essential facilities such as water and electricity.
Residents face persistent challenges with basic amenities, access to government entitlements, and documentation, despite the scheme's objectives to provide comprehensive support to PVTG communities.
- Who
- Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Jharkhand, including communities like the Asurs and Birjias.
- What
- Many PVTG communities mistakenly believe that newly constructed government buildings under the PM-JANMAN scheme are marriage halls due to a lack of awareness and effective communication regarding the scheme's objectives and the purpose of Multipurpose Centers (MPCs).
- When
- Since the launch of the PM-JANMAN scheme on November 15, 2023, with observations made during a visit in late October.
- Where
- Villages in Gumla district, Jharkhand, including Salam Nawatoli, Salgi Pirhapathal, Bhelwadih, and Range Tusrukona.
- Why
- A significant information vacuum exists regarding the PM-JANMAN scheme and its associated Multipurpose Centers (MPCs). Local authorities have not effectively communicated the purpose of these facilities, leading to misconceptions among PVTG communities about their intended use.
Government's Intended Purpose
Community's Perception and Reality
Function of Buildings
Government's Intended Purpose
Under construction buildings are intended to be multipurpose centers (MPCs) for nutrition, health, culture, vocational education, and financial inclusion services under the PM-JANMAN scheme.
Community's Perception and Reality
Many villagers believe the buildings are marriage halls due to a lack of clear communication and awareness about the PM-JANMAN scheme. In some cases, residents were unsure if the buildings were for marriages or hospitals.
Scheme Awareness and Impact
Government's Intended Purpose
The PM-JANMAN scheme aims to provide essential services like safe housing, clean drinking water, education, and healthcare to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
Community's Perception and Reality
In many surveyed villages, residents were unaware of the PM-JANMAN scheme. The implementation has had little visible impact, with basic needs like clean water, electricity, accessible education, and healthcare remaining unaddressed. Some residents reported that crucial infrastructure like anganwadi centers are in disrepair or inaccessible.
Infrastructure Placement and Utilization
Government's Intended Purpose
The scheme involves setting up MPCs to provide multiple services to PVTG habitations, with stakeholder consultations intended for location finalization.
Community's Perception and Reality
MPCs are often located far from settlements, making them inaccessible. They sometimes lack essential facilities like water and electricity. In one instance, an old, unused government building stood opposite a newly constructed MPC, leading to questions about resource allocation.
Access to Services and Documentation
Government's Intended Purpose
A key objective of the PM-JANMAN scheme is to streamline access to government services through centralized centers.
Community's Perception and Reality
PVTG communities struggle to access their entitlements, such as the Dakia Yojana for rice delivery, and social security pensions. They also face difficulties in obtaining basic documents like Aadhaar and ration cards due to the need to travel to distant district capitals.
- Scheme Name
- PM-JANMAN (Prime Minister's Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Development Mission)
- Launch Date
- November 15, 2023
- Target Group
- Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
- Total Budget (3 Years)
- Rs 24,104 crore
- Number of PVTGs
- 75
- MPCs Sanctioned in Jharkhand
- 113
- MPCs Constructed in Jharkhand (as of article)
- Around 10 in Gumla and Palamu districts
- Interventions Under Scheme
- Safe housing, clean drinking water, education, health, telecom connectivity, livelihood opportunities, and Multipurpose Centers (MPCs)