<span style="color: black;">Pradhan Mantri Van-Dhan Yojana is one of the major schemes launched by the NDA government during its 9 years tenure. This scheme is proving to be a boon for tribal population in tribal-dominated states like Chhattisgarh.<br />'' <br />''AIR correspondent reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Van-Dhan Yojna on 14 April 2018 in the tribal-dominated Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. The objective of this scheme is that the tribal people should not remain mere gatherers of minor forest produce like tamarind, mahua, chironji, but they should learn the value addition of these forest produce and become entrepreneurs. Under this scheme, about 140 Van Dhan Kendras have been opened in Chhattisgarh and more than 3000 across the country. Through these van dhan kendras, the tribal people make value addition to minor forest produce and as a result, their income has increased by three to four times. More than 55 thousand self-help groups are associated with this work across the country. Besides, the number of beneficiaries of the scheme has increased to more than 9 lakhs. More than a hundred retail outlets have also been opened across the country to take the products made by these tribals to the people. Van Dhan Yojana is making an invaluable contribution in the social and economic development of the tribal population of the country.</span><br />