Cabinet in its meeting held on 30.01.2014 has approved the establishment, through an executive order, of a National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (NCDNT) for a period of three years and framing of an appropriate scheme for grant of pre and post matric scholarships and construction of hostel for DNT students. Accordingly, a NCDNT has been constituted and Dr Ambedkar Pre-matric and Post-matric Scholarship for DNTs and Nanaji Deshmukh Scheme for construction of Hostels for DNT students have been framed by the Ministry. As regards the grant of Scheduled Tribe Status to DNTs is concerned the Renke Commission in its report has indicated that around 97% of Denotified and 86% of the Nomadic Tribes come under SC, ST, or OBCs. As per the terms of reference of the newly constituted NCDNT, the commission shall identify the castes belonging to Denotified and Nomadic Tribes which have not been included in the lists of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Central List of Other Backward Classes and to pursue their case for inclusion in these lists depending on the modalities laid down for the purpose.

Gist of Recommendations of the Renke Commission

·          Union Government initiate steps to enumerate DNTs in the next census due in 2011

·          For implemention of welfare Schemes for DNTs State-wise list of such tribes should b e prepared.

·          Advisory Committees may be made at District and State level to assist the socio-economic condition of the DNTs, so that action plan can be drawn for their welfare.

·          State Government may take special steps to issue Caste Certificates and ration cards to every member of DNT, and BPL Certificates and to the concerned members, expeditiously.

·          Union of India may take special campaign for issue of voter ID to the eligible members of DNT.

·          Basic civic amenities be provided to the DNTs living in colonies and clusters.

·          Ministry of SJ&E may earmark outlay for the welfare of DNTs.

·          Central should modify the existing Housing Schemes in urban/rural areas and earmark specifically for DNTs.

·          Special drive be made for awareness of DNTs particularly among women to avail the benefit of various schemes for educational empowerment. Special Residential Schools for DNT Boys and Girls be made to encourage education among them.

·          Skill Development Programmes be taken up for DNTs to improve their self employability and wage employment, in collaboration with National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC), the Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India Limited, the Handicrafts and Handlooms Exports Corporations of India Limited.

·          States/UTs and Central Ministries should formulate and implement DNT Sub-Plan for DNTs

·          Separate Finance and Development Corporation for DNTs, like National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation, may be set up at the centre.

·          Considering the gravity of their plight, there is a need for a separate department for the welfare of DNTs at the State level and separate Ministry/Department for the welfare of DNTs at the Centre.

·          It is necessary that the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 be, mutatis mutandis, made applicable to DNTs, and the implementation of the same be reviewed and monitored from time to time.

·          Constitution may be amended to include “Scheduled Communities” under Article 330 and Article 332 to enable these communities to be eligible for reservation of seats in the Houses of the People and in the Legislative Assemblies of the States.

·          Seats may be reserved in Block/Taluka Panchayats and Zila Pandhayats/Zila Parishads, and the Urban Local Bodies for DNTs wherever there population is concentrated.

·          To mobilise additional resources to improve the socio-economic conditions of DNTS, it is suggested that 10% of the funds earmarked for M.P. Local Area Development Fund.

·          It is suggested that the DNTs be given 10% reservation in Government jobs even if the total reservation exceeds 50%.

·          Research Institutes should be set up by the States/UTs for DNTs.

·          A multicultural complex/Academy may be set up in every State/UT to develop, preserve and exhibit the diverse and rich cultural heritage of DNTs.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha here today.

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RTS/ASB