The objectives of the programme are to provide basic amenities, livelihood support and overall development of the PVTGs and other weaker sections. The scheme comprises of three components.

Providing gainful employment to ST population living in/near the forest areas is a must for improving their living standards. Providing/ensuring alternative source of income, protection from wild animals, providing/ensuring health care facilities, providing education and awareness, development of infrastructure, connectivity and communication facilities, rehabilitation of tribal people and prevention of degradation of local habitat of the ST people living in and near the forest areas etc. are included in this component. Suitable proposals/projects will also be invited from various departments especially from Forest Department for implementing in tribal settlements inside the forest. Families identified under the Extreme Poverty Survey shall be given priority.

Need based and location specific packages and programmes for the development of marginalized communities and the Primitive Tribal Groups (Cholanayikka, Kattunayikka, Koraga, Kurichiar, Kadar) are envisaged under this component. This component would also cover the marginalised communities like Aranadan, Kudiya, Mahamalasar, Palliyan, Thachanadan Moopan, Malapanickar, Malapandaram, Adiyan, Eravalan, Hill Pulaya, Irula, Malasar, Malayan, Mudugar, Malavettuvan and Paniyan. Special emphasis will be given for projects on re-habilitation packages, health, food support and economic development of these special groups on the basis of Ooru and family based micro plans. Special focus will be given to the families identified under the Extreme Poverty Survey - 2021-22 of Rural Development Department. Suitable mechanism for effective implementation and monitoring will be put in place. Rehabilitation and resettlement of people who live in ecologically highly sensitive areas prone to flooding as well as land slips will be taken up in a phased manner. High priority shall be given for socio economic development of Malapandaram Community aimed to provide basic needs such as housing, electricity, roads, and livelihoods through a special package for the development of semi nomadic Malapandaram Community. In this regard, a study will be conducted at the district level to identify the development gap, and finally, the microplan will be implemented with the approval of the DLC for SC/ST. Also, a special package for Paniya community will be taken up on the basis of a comprehensive study in 2024-25. Families identified under the Extreme Poverty Survey shall be given priority.

The cost of running of three Destitute Homes functioning under the Scheduled Tribes Department at Attappady, Mananthavady (Kuzhinilam) and Sugandhagiri (Wayanad) will be met from this scheme. Provision for starting new Destitute Homes for Adiyas, Paniyas, PVTGs and Scheduled Tribes Living in Forest are also included. Families identified under the Extreme Poverty Survey shall be given priority.