New Delhi asks Bengal to fast track central schemes after Mamata exit

With the BJP poised to form the government in West Bengal, the Centre has written to the state government flagging the non-implementation of central schemes and flagship missions aimed at the welfare of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and tribal communities.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, which is implementing two flagship programmes — Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) — has pointed out that the state has not sent any proposals since the launch of the programmes in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The Trinamool Congress-led West Bengal government, under chief minister Mamata Banerjee, has not tapped into schemes launched by the BJP-led government at the Centre.

In a letter to West Bengal principal secretary (Tribal Development Department) Choten Dhendup Lama, the ministry said the state’s progress under the two missions had not “moved at the desired pace” and that the government of West Bengal “is not availing benefits of the relevant schemes”. Under PM-JANMAN, the tribal affairs ministry coordinates with various line ministries to extend benefits under six schemes, while 11 schemes are covered under DAJGUA.


In the letter, seen by ET, the ministry pointed out that under PM-JANMAN, the state government had not participated in the survey for providing housing, and no proposals had been received for road connectivity, Anganwadi centres, hostels, off-grid solar household electrification, or multi-purpose centres. It also said that sanctioned Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (community-owned, self-sustaining centres focused on training and value addition for tribal gatherers of minor forest produce) have not been operationalised.

“Further, under DAJGUA, cases in point are non-receipt of proposals for Anganwadi centres, hostels, household electrification, tribal homestays, tribal multi-purpose centres, among other interventions,” the ministry said.

With the new government to be in place in a few days, the Centre is hoping to implement these schemes. The ministry also noted that the state government had not signed an MoU with the Centre’s National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), which manages the premier Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). Signing the MoU is necessary for the Centre to provide funds for the construction of these schools.

“Besides other critical issues which need resolution is the non-signing of MoU between NESTS and the State Society for Eklavya Model Residential Schools, which is adversely affecting the provision of recurring grants, along with non-participation in PVTG household survey,” the letter stated.