Current Affairs - State - Discussion

A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit conducted between July 2024 and January 2025 revealed significant gaps in the implementation of welfare schemes for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Odisha. Despite various initiatives like the Odisha PVTG Empowerment and Livelihood Improvement Programme (OPELIP), about 54% of the PVTG population, roughly 160,000 individuals, remained excluded from benefits. The state has the highest number of PVTGs in India, making such exclusions a major concern. Issues like lack of access in newly identified villages and non-operational agencies contributed to the problem, highlighting administrative and implementation challenges.