Context:
Rising anger among Denotified Tribes (DNTs), Semi-Nomadic Tribes (SNTs), and Nomadic Tribes (NTs) over delayed SEED scheme implementation.
De-notified Tribes (DNTs)
- ‘De-notified Tribes’ (DNTs): Communities once notified under the Criminal Tribes Acts enforced by the British Raj (1871-1947).
- Acts Repealed: Government of India repealed these acts in 1952 and “De-Notified” these communities.
- Nomadic Communities: Some were also nomadic, engaging in seasonal physical movement for livelihood.
- Semi-nomad: Describes nomads with shorter, less frequent, and less distant movements.
Status of DNTs in India:
- Population: Over 10 crore Indians from more than 1,400 communities are either denotified (settled), nomadic, or semi-nomadic.
- NCDNT/Idate Commission: Constituted by Government of India in 2014 for 3 years.
- Tasks: Prepare a state-wise list of Denotified and Nomadic Tribes.
- Measures: Suggest appropriate measures for Central or State Government.
- NCDNT/Renke Commission (2008): Earlier commissioned to identify and list DNT communities.
Development and Welfare Board for Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNCs):
- Idate Commission: Recommended setting up a permanent commission for these communities.
- Conflict of Mandate: Most DNTs are covered under SC, ST, or OBC, conflicting with the mandates of NCSC, NCST, and NCBC.
- Establishment: DWBDNCs set up in 2019, chaired by BR Idate under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- Purpose: Implementing welfare programs.
About SEED (Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs):
- Introduced in February 2022
- Launchedby – Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- Budget: Allocation of ₹200 crore to be spent over five years from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26.
- Components:
- Educational Empowerment: Free competitive exam coaching for DNT candidates.
- Health: Health insurance through PM Jan Arogya Yojana.
- Livelihoods: Support through National and State Rural Livelihood Missions (NRLM and SRLMs).
- Land and Housing: Financial assistance for house construction through PM Awas Yojana.
- Implementation – DWBDNCs: Tasked with implementing the SEED scheme.
- Eligibility: DNT communities with a family income from all sources of Rs. 2.50 lakhs or less, not availing benefits under any other central/state schemes.
Source: TH
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India:
1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.
2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.
3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.
4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC CSE – 2019 Prelims]
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 4
(d) 1, 3 and 4
Answer: (c)