Categorization of Denotified,Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs) : Parliamentary Panel.

NEWS HIGHLIGHT 

Theme : Institutions & Bodies Constituted For The Vulnerable Sections
Paper:GS-2

 A Parliamentary panel has pulled up the Centre over the “very slow” process to categorize over 260 Denotified, nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes (DNTs) under either the SC/ST/OBC lists.

Context : A Parliamentary panel has pulled up the Centre over the “very slow” process to categorize over 260 Denotified, nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes (DNTs) under either the SC/ST/OBC lists.

Who are the DNTs?

• The term ‘De-notified Tribes’ stands for all those communities which were once notified under the Criminal Tribes Acts, enforced by the British Raj between l87l and I947.
• These Acts were repealed after Independence in l952, and these communities were “De-Notified”.
• The DNTs (of whom most are the medieval period Banjaras) are the most neglected, marginalized, and economically and socially deprived communities.
• Most of them have been living a life of destitution for generations and still continue to do so with an uncertain and gloomy future.
• More than 10 crore Indians from over 1,400 communities are either denotified, nomadic or semi-nomadic.

SEED Scheme : 

• It has been formulated for families having income from all sources of Rs.2.50 lakh or less per annum and not availing any such benefits from similar Scheme of Centre Government or the State Government.
• The Scheme will be implemented through a portal, developed by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment.
• Post verification, the funds will be transferred directly to the beneficiaries in their account.
• The other implementing agencies are the Ministry of Rural Development, National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and National Health Authority (NHA).

Status of Identification of DNTs : 

• Anthropological Survey of India study: AnSI had submitted reports on categorisation of 48 DNT communities so far. Further, the AnSI is finalizing studies on 161 communities and is expected to finish studying the remaining communities (about 70) by the end of 2022.
• Idate Commission: It had categorized 1,262 communities under SC/ST/OBC lists and 267 communities were left uncategorised.

FAQs : 

1. Who are DNTs?

ANS. 

• The term ‘De-notified Tribes’ stands for all those communities which were once notified under the Criminal Tribes Acts, enforced by the British Raj between l87l and I947.
• These Acts were repealed after Independence in l952, and these communities were “De-Notified”.
• The DNTs (of whom most are the medieval period Banjaras) are the most neglected, marginalized, and economically and socially deprived communities.
• Most of them have been living a life of destitution for generations and still continue to do so with an uncertain and gloomy futur

2. What is the SEED Scheme?

ANS. 

• It has been formulated for families having income from all sources of Rs.2.50 lakh or less per annum and not availing any such benefits from similar Scheme of Centre Government or the State Government.
• The Scheme will be implemented through a portal, developed by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment.