Manipur: President Droupadi Murmu engages with Maram tribe, unveils PM JANMAN plan
Imphal: President Droupadi Murmu interacted with the leaders of the Maram Tribe, the only tribe in Manipur classified under the category of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), during her second-leg visit to the Senapati district headquarters on Friday.
A short film on the Maram tribe and the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) initiative of the district was also screened at the event.
Under PM JANMAN, the Centre has sanctioned a Rs 9 crore development program for the Maram Naga tribe of Manipur, which has a population of around 50,000.
The Marams primarily inhabit the Senapati and Kangpokpi districts of Manipur. There are over 33 government-recognised tribes in the state.
Addressing the gathering, President Murmu said that under PM JANMAN, a series of initiatives have been launched to uplift the tribal community, especially PVTGs, which will further improve their lives.
She emphasised that dignity, security, and growth opportunities for the tribals of Manipur, along with ensuring their greater participation in the country’s progress, are national priorities.
The PM JANMAN scheme is a major initiative of the Indian government, launched in 2023 to uplift 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) by providing essential services such as safe housing, water, electricity, health, education, and road/mobile connectivity through 11 core interventions by nine ministries, focusing on bridging development gaps in their remote habitations.
The scheme aims to achieve saturation of essential services for these marginalised communities by 2026.
Officials reported that the annual amount of Rs 9 crore was sanctioned to support a range of welfare projects, including the implementation of PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana), PM Ayushman Bharat, and the construction of Anganwadi centres, community halls, and water storage facilities.
The funds have also been earmarked for the preservation of the Maram community’s traditional Morungs, cultural heritage, and ancestral practices.