Members of special backward tribe Pahadi Korwa informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday that years of incomplete development work were completed within a few days thanks to the Janman Scheme.
Earlier, they had to travel for hours to fetch drinking water and firewood to cook meals, but now they have tap water and gas connections. This has saved them from water-borne diseases, they said.
They said they also now have permanent houses and electricity.
Modi held a virtual conference with the members of the Pahadi Korwa tribe in Jashpur district as part of the Prime Minister's Tribal Justice Mega Campaign.
He urged the tribal children to engage in sports along with their studies.
Modi applauded a member of a women's group, Mankunwari Bai, for her work in spreading awareness about welfare schemes.
Mankunwari collects the documents of her neighbours and registers them for welfare programmes at Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra camps.
Her group is employed in manufacturing eco-friendly plates and bowls.
Under the Janman Scheme, benefits of 22 schemes are to be extended to backward tribes.
These include permanent houses, drinking water connection, electricity, education, skill development training, healthcare facilities and more.