Lok Sabha Question No. 1692 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-01
Subject: De-notified and Nomadic Tribes in Jharkhand
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Chandra Prakash Choudhary, Shri Chandra Prakash Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1692

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 01/08/2024

## DE-NOTIFIED AND NOMADIC TRIBES IN JHARKHAND

## 1692 SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the total number of de-notified and nomadic tribes in Jharkhand along with their current population and names;

(b) whether a commission was constituted by the Government during the last fifteen years to resolve the problems of above mentioned tribes and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the time by which the commission would submit its report and the recommendations made therein;

(d) whether the Government has announced to constitute a committee under NITI Aayog during the last five years; and

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken so far in this regard and if not, the time by which it would be taken?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

(a): Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) has informed that as per the report of National Commission for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-nomadic Tribes (NCDNT), the list of denotified, nomadic communities in Jharkhand is placed at Annexure-1 and no population data is maintained by the MoSJE.

(b)  to  (c): Ministry  of  Social  Justice  &  Empowerment  (MoSJE)  has  informed  that  the  Central Government by notification dated 12.02.2014, constituted a National Commission for De-notified Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Tribes (NCDNT). This Commission submitted its report to the Central Government  in  December,  2017.  The  Recommendation  of  this  commission  is  reproduced  in Annexure-2.

(d) to (e): NITI Aayog has informed that Hon'ble Finance Minister while presenting the Union Budget 2019-20 (Interim Budget) on 1st February 2019, has made a budget announcement that 'Our Government is  committed to  reach  the  most  deprived  citizens  of  this  country.  To  this  end,  the condition of the De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic communities' merits special attention.

These communities are hard to reach, less visible, and therefore, frequently left out.  The Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic communities move from place to place in search of a livelihood.

Based  on  the  Budget  announcement  Committee  was  constituted  by  the  PMO  vide  PMO  ID No.5003224/PMO/2019-ES-2, dated 25-2-2019, under the Chairmanship of Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog and included the following Members:

- i. Shri Bhiku Ram Idate, Former Chairman, National Commission for DNTs, NTs & SNTs
- ii. Dr. J.K. Bajaj, Director, Center for Policy Studies, Chennai and Member, Commission to examine Sub-Classification of OBCs,
- iii. Director General, Anthropological Survey of India, Kolkata

The Committee assigned the Ethnographic Study of DNTs/NTs/ SNTs that are not classified to Anthropological Survey of India (ANSI). ANSI Submitted Ethnographic Study reports and reports were sent to Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in the month of August 2023 for further action.

## List of DNT/SNT/NT Communities found in Jharkhand as per NCDNT.

| List of De-Notified Communities   | List of De-Notified Communities   |   List of Nomadic Communities | List of Nomadic Communities   |
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| 1                                 | Pasi                              |                             1 | Asur                          |
| 2                                 | Dom                               |                             2 | Baiga                         |
| 3                                 | Dusadh                            |                             3 | Banjara                       |
| 4                                 | Ghasi                             |                             4 | Bathudi                       |
| 5                                 | Madari                            |                             5 | Baurri                        |
|                                   |                                   |                             6 | Bedia                         |
|                                   |                                   |                             7 | Bhumij                        |
|                                   |                                   |                             8 | Birhor                        |
|                                   |                                   |                             9 | Binjia                        |
|                                   |                                   |                            10 | Birjia                        |
|                                   |                                   |                            11 | Chero                         |
|                                   |                                   |                            12 | Chick- Baraik                 |
|                                   |                                   |                            13 | Dom, Dhangad                  |
|                                   |                                   |                            14 | Ghasi                         |
|                                   |                                   |                            15 | Gond                          |
|                                   |                                   |                            16 | Gorait                        |
|                                   |                                   |                            17 | Ho                            |
|                                   |                                   |                            18 | Kanjar                        |
|                                   |                                   |                            19 | Karmali                       |
|                                   |                                   |                            20 | Kawar                         |
|                                   |                                   |                            21 | Kharia                        |
|                                   |                                   |                            22 | Kharwar                       |
|                                   |                                   |                            23 | Khond                         |
|                                   |                                   |                            24 | Kisan                         |
|                                   |                                   |                            25 | Kol                           |
|                                   |                                   |                            26 | Kora                          |
|                                   |                                   |                            27 | Korwa                         |
|                                   |                                   |                            28 | Kuraiar                       |
|                                   |                                   |                            29 | Loh ra                        |
|                                   |                                   |                            30 | Mahli                         |
|                                   |                                   |                            31 | Mal Pahariya                  |
|                                   |                                   |                            32 | Munda                         |
|                                   |                                   |                            33 | Musahar                       |
|                                   |                                   |                            34 | Nat                           |
|                                   |                                   |                            35 | Oraon                         |
|                                   |                                   |                            36 | Parhaiya                      |
|                                   |                                   |                            37 | Santhal                       |
|                                   |                                   |                            38 | Sauria- Paharia               |
|                                   |                                   |                            39 | Savar                         |

## Present Status of recommendations of NCDNT (Idate Commission)

|   S. No. | Recommendation of NCDNT                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Setting up of a Permanent Statutory Commission for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities at the Centre which shall have the power to hear representations/complaints/grievances of the members of DNT/NT communities and liaise with the Central and State Governments for their effective redressal/ implementation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|        2 | Setting up of a separate Department/ Directorate for DNT/NT communities in each States where there is sizeable population of DNT/NT.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|        3 | Commission has recommended that DNT/NT communities not covered in any of the 3 categories viz. OBCs, SCs and STs be notified, at least as OBCs, subject to the report of ethnographic studies on them and after following the due procedure. Commission has stated that there are DNT/NT communities which are classified as SCs/STs in some States and as OBCs in other States. The Commission has recommended for removal of such anomalies.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|        4 | Commission has recommended for release of data of Caste-based Census done in 2011 selectively, at least in respect of the DNT/NT communities , or making available of the data of Caste-based Census done in 2011 to the Central/State Governments. Commission has also recommended for proper and systematic Caste-based Census, especially in respect of DNT/NT Communities, in the 2021 Census.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|        5 | Nomination of at least one member from DNT/NT communities to the Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies/Councils, District Panchayats and Intermediate (Block/Taluka/Mandal), where there is a significant presence of DNT/NT communities.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|        6 | Providing strong legal protections and constitutional safeguards, including the extension of the Protection of Atrocities Act to the NT/DNT/SNT communities by creating a separate third schedule as 'Schedule De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes/ communities'.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|        7 | Carving out a special 'sub-quota' for DNT/NT communities in the quotas for SCs, STs and OBCs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|        8 | Commission has stated that there is no clear definition in Government of India for Nomadic Tribes or Semi-Nomadic Tribes for official purposes, as it is for the 'tribe'. Any NT/DNT communities are known by different names in different regions and states. There shall be some uniformity in the nomenclature of these communities for their easy identification state wise and nationwide. Commission has recommended for adopting a single standard nomenclature for those NT/DNT communities which have different names (synonyms) in various regions. Commission has recommended that instead of issuing two separate certificates, e.g. one for SC/ST/OBC and another for DNT/NT, a single caste certificate viz. SC-DNT, ST-DNT, OBC-DNT shall be issued. |

|   9. | Repeal of Habitual Offenders Act by the respective States. Commission has stated that regular laws is sufficient to deal with crimes and other transgressions. Commission has recommended that harassment, exclusion and humiliation of adult as well as children members of DNT/NTcommunities, especially women, in schools and workplaces may be made liable for disciplinary action both in schools and workplaces.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   10 | Centre and State Governments shall raise the awareness of the Officials/General Public and Elected representatives, including elected representatives, administrators, the police and the media, about the issues and problems being faced by DNT/NT communities. Commission has recommended that The National Council for Education Research and Training (NCERT) and the State School Boards shall examine the possibility of having a section in the school syllabus dedicated to the history of these communities.                                                                                                                                                                  |
|   11 | Sensitization of National and State-level organizations dealing with Voter cards, Aadhaar cards, PDS cards, Old Age pension and related pensions, BPL certificate etc. vis-a-vis DNT/NT communities. Creation of a DNT/NT Communities' Cell in the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs). Creation of a Working Group in NITI Aayog to plan for sectoral development of DNT/NT communities with a vision for 2030 that is coterminous with the Sustainable Development Goals. Commission has recommended that the University Grants Commission (UGC) and ICSSR should fund more research projects for studying the DNT/NT communities. |
|   12 | Earmarking grant of at least Rs.10,000 crore by 15 th Finance Commission specifically for the DNT/NT communities, to be released to the States, as an additionality in order to supplement the share of the DNT/NT communities under the mainstream policy measures.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|   13 | Commission has recommended that like women's Self-Help Groups and other community based initiatives, self-help group of DNT/NT communities may be created and smart and committed members of the DNT/NT communities in the age group of 25-45 years be made to act as 'intermediaries' between communities and the government.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|   14 | Opening of elementary schools in areas which has large DNT/NT population. Relaxation in admission with respect to furnishing of requisite documents. Exemption from tuition fees etc. up to Class XII. Providing Skill Development Training. Evaluation of Dr. Ambedkar Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship scheme and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Scheme. Special Education Schemes for DNT/NT communities. Promotion of traditional skills DNT/NT. Launch a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme, with the Centre and the States contributing in the ratio 50:50.                                                                                                                         |

|    | Incentives for Higher Education and for preparation of competitive examination.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|----|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 15 | Sensitization of intermediaries/Community Contact Persons, Doctors and other Public Health officials towards the special needs of DNT/NT communities. Engagement of ASHA workers from their communities so that these community members may utilize health services/schemes effectively. Mobile Dispensaries may be provided, which shall periodically visit the camps of the DNT/NT communities and render them necessary medical assistance.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| 16 | Providing due share to DNT/NT communities in mainstream schemes/programmes for allotment of land, construction of house, development of slums and regeneration of urban areas. Encroachments by DNT/NT communities on government land by way of housing should be, as far as possible, regularized. Rehabilitation in case of eviction from encroached land. Up-gradation of the better infrastructure and sanitation facilities in the areas where they live. Easy housing credit to construct/upgrade housing on their own. Earmarking a certain quota in Prime Minister's Awaas Yojana for DNT/NT communities. Special Housing Projects with full-fledged infrastructure for members of DNT/NT communities by the State Governments, wherever possible.                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| 17 | Sensitizing Forest and other law enforcement official not to harass NT/DNT communities residing in forest areas as they are largely dependent on the forests. Give forest rights, grazing rights and passage rights to Nomadic pastoralists, across State boundaries and within the State f or communities dependent on sheep, camels, goats, yaks, buffaloes, bees , birds and in sects etc. Extend benefits of Schedule Tribes (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 to DNT/NT. Review the 'Indian Forest Act' and 'Wild Li f e Protection Act' so that DNTs/NTs are not harassed. There is a Centrally sponsored scheme for Scheduled Tribes for monetizing minor forest produce called 'The Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP' implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Commission has recommended that this shall be extended to DNT/NT communities. |
| 18 | Special policy initiatives to promote skill development and employment opportunities for DNT/NT communities. Bank credit for starting self- employment ventures. Job fairs targeting DNT/NTcommunities. Set up Special Training Institutes and rope in the Technical Centers run by the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) for DNT/NT. Commission has stated that DNT/NT communities possess expertise in herbs and medicines. Their expertise shall be utilized in the collection and development of herbs and medicinal plants which are in great demand in the country and outside. 100 per cent financial inclusion of DNT/NT communities is done under the Jan Dhan Scheme. Commission has recommended for review the beggary prevention laws, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and other legislation that affect the dignity and livelihood.                                                                                                      |

|    | Commission has recommended for setting up a separate National Finance and Development Corporation for DNT/NTs, on the lines of the National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation, to promote various welfare schemes for these communities. Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Bank (MUDRA) can also be asked to proactively refinance loans meant for small and micro enterprises belonging to DNT/NT communities.   |
|----|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 19 | Setting up a specific cell in the National Commission for Women to deal with the problems of women from DNT/NT communities.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 20 | Establishment of a separate Academy to protect and preserve their Art, Culture, Sports and indigenous knowledge.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |

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