The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment recently affirmed in a written response in the Rajya Sabha that a Welfare Board has been set up for the Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNCs). Established in 2019, this welfare board was primarily put together to foster the development of these communities over a span of three years, extendable to five. The board is tasked with numerous responsibilities including planning and implementing welfare programmes for the DNCs, identifying locations with high DNC populations, and monitoring the progress of government schemes targeted at these communities.
Challenges Encountered by Nomadic Tribes
Nearly 1,500 nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes, along with 198 denotified tribes, account for about 15 crore Indians as per the Renke Commission data of 2008. These tribes continue to face socio-economic marginalization, compromising their basic human rights. An important concern involves the issue of identity.
The essential infrastructure facilities like potable water, shelter, sanitation, healthcare and education are inadequate or completely non-existent. The local administration and police often subject these communities to ill-treatment, stemming from the historical criminal stigma attached to them. Lack of a permanent settlement exposes these tribes to the absence of social security cover, inhibiting the issuance of key documents like ration cards or Aadhar cards and consequently, depriving them of government welfare scheme benefits. The caste categorization ambiguity across states adds to their hardships as it prevents them from availing benefits from government welfare programs.
DWBDNCs’ Responsibilities
Development and Welfare Board for DWBDNCs shoulders the responsibility of creating and implementing development and welfare programs tailored for these communities. This involves recognizing areas with dense DNC population, identifying gaps in access to existing programs and entitlements, and working in unison with Ministries and Agencies to ensure the programs cater to their specific needs. It is also tasked with keeping track of the progress made by government schemes with respect to the DNCs.
Schemes Aimed at Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities
Multiple schemes have been initiated for the welfare of these communities. The Dr. Ambedkar Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship, launched in 2014-15, caters explicitly to the DNT students not falling under SC, ST or OBC category. The scholarship, implemented through State Governments or Union Territory Administrations, has an income cap of Rs. 2 lakh per annum and is funded on a 75:25 basis by the Centre and State respectively. The scholarship aids in promoting education among DNT children, particularly the female students.
The Nanaji Deshmukh Scheme of Construction of Hostels provides accommodation facilities for DNT students, encouraging them to pursue higher education. With an annual income cap of Rs. 2 lakh, the Central Government offers up to 500 seats annually across the country. Like the scholarship scheme, this is also funded by the Centre and State at a 75:25 ratio.
Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Communities Defined
Denotified tribes refer to the communities that had been labeled criminal by birth under the Criminal Tribes Acts enforced during the British rule. In 1952, the Act was abolished and the communities were denotified. Nomadic tribes, as the name suggests, are constantly on the move geographically, whereas semi-nomads return to fixed habitations at least once a year, mainly due to occupational reasons. The distinction between nomadic and semi-nomadic does not necessarily involve dissimilar ethnic categories or social groups; it merely describes their degree of mobility.