Context:
Dhangar community’s demand for ST status has been dismissed.
About Dhangars:
- Region – Western Maharashtra and Marathwada
- A large cluster of pastoral groups.
- Present Reservation status –
- Recognised as a Nomadic Tribe (NT) in Maharashtra
- Recognised as Other Backward Classes (OBC) in Central list
- Economic activity – livestock activities, agriculturalist etc.
- Dange Dhangars herd buffaloes in high-rainfall forest tracts of the Western Ghats.
- Practiced subsistence agriculture
- Social Status – British recognised them as a tribe for their nomadic nature and lower status in Maharashtra.
Ahilyabai Holkar, the queen who reigned the Malwa region in the 18th century was a Dhangar.
Process of inclusion under ST list:
- They are set of modalities established in 1999.
- The respective state or union territory shall send the initial proposal for ST status.
- It is forwarded to Union Tribal Affairs Ministry
- Subsequently sent to the Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI).
- If the ORGI approves the inclusion, the proposal is then sent to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).
- If the NCST concur, the proposal is forwarded to the Cabinet for amendment to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.
Source: Indian Express
Previous Year Question
With reference to ‘Changpa’ community of India, consider the following statement:
1. They live mainly in the State of Uttarakhand.
2. They rear the Pashmina goats that yield a fine wool.
3. They are kept in the category of Scheduled Tribes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The Changpa are a semi-nomadic Tibetan people found mainly in the Changtang in Ladakh and in Jammu and Kashmir.
