Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Human Touch Foundation has submitted detailed representations to the Department of Tribal Welfare, Government of Goa, and the Goa State Commission for Scheduled Tribes, seeking the inclusion of Katkari (Wanarmare or Vanarmare) families residing in the state under Central Government welfare schemes meant for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
In its representations, the organisation has highlighted the continued exclusion of Katkari families in Goa from key Central initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan. These schemes are designed to ensure that PVTG habitations across the country receive saturation-level benefits.
The Katkari community is a nationally recognised PVTG. Warmare subgroups of the community have been residing in Goa for more than four decades, with settlements in Virnoda in Pernem taluka and Nirankhal in Ponda taluka. Despite their long-standing presence and extreme socio-economic vulnerability, the families have not been covered under Central PVTG welfare programmes.
The representations point out that while Scheduled Tribe recognition is state specific, Central PVTG schemes do not bar the inclusion of migrant PVTG families, particularly when their status as a PVTG is undisputed, and indicators of vulnerability remain high. The letters also draw attention to the absence of systematic mapping of PVTG households in Goa and the lack of formal recommendations from the state for inclusion under PM JANMAN.
Human Touch Foundation stated that it has been working with the Katkari community in Goa for over seven years, assisting families with delayed birth registrations, civil documentation, access to health and nutrition services, education and welfare linkages. Based on its field work, the organisation has submitted a detailed position paper, master lists of families and supporting Government of India documents along with the representations.
Peter F Borges, founder and president of Human Touch Foundation, said the issue was one of administrative action rather than eligibility. “The Katkari are among the most vulnerable tribal groups recognised nationally, and families from this community have been living in Goa for decades under extremely difficult conditions. Our representation seeks timely intervention so that Katkari families in Goa are included under Central PVTG schemes meant to address deprivation and ensure dignity,” he said.
The organisation has expressed hope that the concerned authorities will examine the matter and initiate appropriate action at the earliest, without the need for judicial intervention.
