Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes

Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes Latest News

Calls are growing for the establishment of a permanent national commission for Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes with the issue finding primacy in discussions at the national conference of Denotified Tribes (DNTs) held recently in New Delhi.

About Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes 

• Denotified Tribes (DNT) also known as Vimukta Jati, are the tribes that were listed originally under the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 as criminal tribes. 
  • Once a tribe becomes “Notified” as criminal, all its members were required to register with the local magistrates, failing which they would be charged with a ‘crime’ under the Indian Penal Code. 
• After Independence, this Act was repealed in 1952, and the communities were “denotified”, hence the name. 
• Nomadic Tribes are the communities who usually do not have land and move from one place to another for livelihood.
• The DNT/NT/SNTs are among the most neglected, marginalised, and economically deprived communities, with most living a life of destitution.
• Historically, these communities never had access to private land or home ownership and used forests and grazing lands for their livelihood and residential use. 

Status of DNT/NT/SNTs in India

• In India, roughly 10 percent of the population is Denotified and Nomadic.
• While the number of Denotified Tribes is about 150, the population of Nomadic Tribes consists of about 500 different communities. 
• In 2014, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment constituted a National Commission for DNT/NT/SNTs under the chairmanship of Bhiku Ramji Idate for a period of three years- 
  • to prepare a State-wise list of castes belonging to  DNT/NT/SNTs 
  • to suggest appropriate measures in respect of Denotified and Nomadic Tribes that may be undertaken by the Central Government or the State Government. 
• In 2017, the commission prepared draft lists of DNT/NT/SNTs. 
• Based on the Commission’s recommendations, the ministry constituted the Development and Welfare Board for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNCs) in 2019. 
  • The Board has been mandated to formulate and implement welfare and development programmes for these communities. 
• The Renke Commission (2008) was earlier commissioned to identify and list the DNT communities.

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Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED)

• It was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for the welfare of De-notified, Nomadic and Semi Nomadic (DNT) Communities. 
• It has been formulated for families having income from all sources of Rs 2.50 lakh or less per annum and not availing any such benefits from a similar scheme of Centre or state government.
• Aim: To provide free competitive exam coaching, health insurance, housing assistance and livelihood initiatives at the community level, and financial assistance for construction of houses will be provided to the members of DNT/NT/SNT Communities.
• An amount of 200 crore has been allocated for this scheme — to be spent over five years from FY2021-22 to FY2025-26.

Source: TH