India’s de-notified, nomadic, and semi-nomadic tribes (DNT) have received attention recently due to criticism directed at the development program established for these communities by the government. The Parliamentary Standing Committee blasted the scheme, noting that none of the allotted Rs 200 crore budget for five years starting 2021-22 has been spent in the first year. To understand the criticisms and possible solutions, it’s essential to delve into who exactly these tribal communities are, their historical challenges, and the measures currently in place to address their issues.
Understanding De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-nomadic Tribes
DNTs are the most marginalized of India’s communities, having faced various forms of discrimination and exploitation inherited from the British colonial period. They were labeled as ‘born criminals’ under the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871. However, upon Indian independence, the Independent Indian Government scrapped these laws in 1952, essentially ‘de-notifying’ these communities.
Not all de-notified tribes were nomadic, but a portion of them were indeed nomadic or semi-nomadic, moving from place to place without a fixed home or owning private land. At present, DNTs fall under the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), or Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories in different proportions, but some are not found in any of these categories. South Asia, specifically India, hosts the world’s largest nomadic population, with about 10% of India’s population being Denotified and Nomadic.
Glimpse at Past Commissions and Committees on DNTs
Since independence, several commissions and committees have investigated the problems plaguing the DNT communities. These range from the Criminal Tribes Inquiry Committee in 1947, the Ananthasayanam Ayyangar Committee in 1949 which led to the repeal of the Criminal Tribes Act, to the Kaka Kalelkar Commission (first OBC Commission) in 1953. The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC), 2002, chaired by Justice M N Venkatachaliah, also acknowledged that DNTs were wrongly labeled as crime-prone and often faced degrading treatment.
Welfare Efforts for DNTs: Past and Present
The government formed the National Commission for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (NCDNT) in 2006, which provided the crucial estimate of the DNT population at approximately 10.74 crores. As part of its commitment to the welfare of DNTs, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has implemented numerous schemes such as the Dr. Ambedkar Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship for DNTs and the Nanaji Deshmukh Scheme of Construction of Hostels for DNT Boys and Girls.
The Rise of Development and Welfare Board for DNTs (DWBDNC)
In 2014, a new commission was tasked to prepare a state-wise list of these communities, culminating in the identification of 1,262 communities as de-notified, nomadic, and semi-nomadic in 2018. As a result, the government established the Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC) under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, chaired by Bhiku Ramji Idate. The DWBDNC was created with the primary aim of implementing welfare programs for these communities, marking another hopeful yet to be proven effective effort to uplift the DNTs.
Despite various criticisms and shortcomings, the establishment of multiple commissions, boards, and schemes signifies a conscious effort by the government to address the issues faced by the DNTs and their continued commitment to uplift these communities. As with all ambitious plans, the real challenge lies in effective execution and regular evaluation of these efforts.
Last Modified: February 15, 2024