India

Maharashtra Allocates ₹160 Crore for Development of Primitive Tribes in 2026-27 Budget

By Snehal Mutha

Under the ‘Viksit Maharashtra 2047’ framework, the Maharashtra Government has earmarked ₹160 crore in the 2026-27 Budget for the holistic development of the primitive tribes—Katkari, Kolam, and Madia—as well as the Pardhi community. The allocation is split into ₹130 crore for the primitive tribes and ₹30 crore for the Pardhi community, with 100 % government grants for individual and collective benefit schemes. The ₹130 crore is further divided: ₹100 crore for basic amenities and ₹30 crore for benefit schemes; the ₹30 crore for the Pardhi community is split into ₹10 crore for basic amenities and ₹20 crore for benefit schemes. The State Government issued a Government Resolution on 2 November 2026 to implement the package. Individual schemes will receive a minimum grant of ₹50,000, while collective schemes of two or more beneficiaries may receive up to ₹7.5 lakh. The Tribal Development Department will provide assistance if beneficiaries cannot pay their share of other departmental schemes. The package also encourages the formation of women’s Self‑Help Groups (SHGs) for empowerment, offering grants up to ₹7.5 lakh. Funds will support awareness drives and special camps to provide essential documents such as Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card, Ration Card, Caste Certificate, MGNREGA Job Card, Ayushman Card, and bank accounts. Health initiatives will include check‑up camps, visits by Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, and nurses, along with health education and promotion of government health schemes. The package aims to increase student attendance, reintegrate out‑of‑school children into mainstream education, and organize residential camps in Ashram Schools during summer for children of migrant families.