Rajasthan government is planing to empower de notified, semi nomadic and nomadic communities through various social welfare interventions.
Kuldeep Ranka, additional chief secretary, social justice and empowerment department told The BuckStopper that the state government targets to bring these neglected communities under social welfare umbrella.
“Even after more than 7 decades of independence, there are communities which are not registered with government. They don't have any address. They don't have any identity. We have launched special campaign to identify such communities and being then under the under of all social welfare schemes. We are providing them houses that they have a permanent address,” said Ranka.
He said that the exact number of such population is still not known.
“As per rough estimate the number could be 70-80 lakh. However, exact number will appear in the census,” he said.
The state government gives a grant of Rs 1.2 lakh per family for providing housing. Apart from that, the government also gives scholarship and hostel facilities to children of these communities, which comprise 10% of the total population.
”Grants and loans can't resolve this long standing social vice. Only education can lift standard of their living. Besides providing them with all kind of social welfare schemes, we are focussing on their education as well. Only enlightenment through education can empower the coming generations,” Ranka said.
What are denotified tribes, nomadic and semi nomadic communities
Denotified tribes which were formerly listed as “criminal tribes” under the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, include Baori/Badri, Kanjar, Sansi, Bagri/Bawaria, Mogia, Nut, Naik, Multains, Bhat, Lodha, Lodhi, Banjara, Bhil, Bijoria, and Nayak.
Nomadic Tribes (NTs): These communities have a history of moving from place to place rather than living in one fixed location. Some examples in Rajasthan are:
Baldias (Banjaras), Bardhis, Domabaris, Gadia Lohars, Iranis, Jogi Kalbelia, Jogi Kanphata, Shikkeligar, and Ghisadis.
Semi-Nomadic Tribes (SNTs): These communities exhibit some degree of mobility but may also have established settlements. These include Sarangiwala Bhopas, Rebaris, Raths, Mangalias, Bhayas, Kannis, Janglus, Jalukus, Jhangs, Sindlus, and Various Jogis (Ajaipals, Agamnaths, etc.
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