Tribal Affairs Minister held a video conference with States/UTs on “Tribal livelihoods and safety” in New Delhi on 13 May which was attended by Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, State Ministers for Tribal Affairs, and state ministers for Forests from more than 20 states/UTs along with senior State officials.
The Union Minister reviewed the working of Prime Minister’s Vandhan Yojana in the States.
It is expected that boosting the Minor Forest Produce along with value addition and marketing through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) and fair support price will prove to be a boon to generate additional livelihoods for the migrants who are returning home amid the COVID-19 lockdown.
The conference recommended the setting up of small scale units at the village level to employ the tribal returnees from different States and on the need for taking advantage of inherent traditional knowledge among the tribals.
It also highlighted the need to develop a Market chain to take the rural products of Organic nature to National and International markets.
So far, 1205 VDVKs have been set up across states. IT has benefitted 3.75 lakh beneficiaries through 18075 Self-help Groups. Nearly Rs.166 crore has been sanctioned for setting up the VDVKs to date.
