Significant Progress in Tribal Housing Under PM JANMAN in Odisha
A major milestone has been achieved in Odisha's tribal welfare efforts, with a total of 28,383 houses completed for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) as of February 9, 2026. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), focuses on providing pucca houses to PVTG households as a key intervention to improve living conditions and social justice for these marginalized communities.
National Launch and Implementation Framework
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched PM JANMAN on November 15, 2023, with a comprehensive target of 4.9 lakh houses allocated to states implementing the housing component of the scheme. According to Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Ulkey, who provided these details in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, more than 4.76 lakh houses have been sanctioned by the states, and over 2.61 lakh houses have been completed nationwide as of the same date. This reflects a robust implementation pace, with Odisha contributing significantly to the overall numbers.
Relaxed Exclusion Criteria to Enhance Inclusivity
In response to a question from MP Haris Beeran, Minister Ulkey highlighted that the parameters for automatic exclusion under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) have been specifically relaxed for PVTGs under PM JANMAN. Only two exclusion criteria are now applicable:
- Households that already possess pucca houses.
- Households with any member employed as a government employee.
This strategic relaxation aims to ensure that a broader segment of PVTG families can benefit from the housing scheme, addressing historical disparities and enhancing access to essential infrastructure.
Priority for Landless Beneficiaries and State Responsibilities
Landless beneficiaries are accorded top priority under PMAY-G, with providing land to them deemed of utmost importance due to their high level of need. Minister Ulkey emphasized that while land is a state subject and the ministry has no direct role in land acquisition matters, the scheme mandates that states and Union Territories must ensure land provision for landless beneficiaries. This can include government land, public land such as panchayat common land, community land, or land belonging to other local authorities.
The progress in Odisha, with 28,383 houses completed, underscores the state's commitment to tribal welfare and the effective execution of PM JANMAN. This initiative not only addresses housing shortages but also promotes social equity and economic stability for PVTGs, aligning with broader national goals of inclusive development and rural upliftment.
