Today in Politics: PM to release funds for key Adivasi scheme, Congress yatra to enter Nagaland

As part of the Centre’s Rs 24,000-crore programme for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), launched last November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Monday virtually release the first instalment to a lakh beneficiaries under the PM Awas Yojana-Gramin and interact with members of tribal communities.

The PM PVTGs Development Mission, initially announced in the 2023-’24 Budget, aims to “saturate PVTG families and habitations with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities,” as per a government statement.

Specifically, under the umbrella scheme, nine ministries will implement 11 interventions, including the PM Gram Sadak Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, and Jal Jeevan Mission, among others.

The Congress, meanwhile, is busy with its 6,700-km Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, launched on Sunday from Manipur by MP Rahul Gandhi. On Monday evening, the yatra will arrive in Nagaland, where it will remain until January 18.

After entering Nagaland, Gandhi will spend the night in Khuzama village, which is on the border with Manipur, and hold a rally in the heart of Kohima the next day. The yatra will pass through the Kohima, Wokha, Zunheboto, and Mokukchung districts.

While the Congress’s central leadership has declined the invitation to attend the Ram temple consecration ceremony on January 22 in Ayodhya, calling it a “BJP-RSS event”, the Uttar Pradesh unit of the party is set to commemorate Makar Sankranti on Monday with a visit to the temple town.

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai on Sunday said, “On January 15, I am going to Ayodhya. Our general secretary and UP in-charge Avinash