Need for SEED Scheme:

• The DNTs, NTs, SNTs are one of the most deprived and economically weaker communities in India.
• The policies of the colonial government affected lives and livelihood adversely with the enactment of the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871 during British rule wherein they were branded as criminals.
• This has led to the forcible alienation from their traditional occupations and habitations. They remained hunter-gatherers and pastoral/peripatetic. After the Independence, they have not benefitted much from the planned development of over seven decades.
• They were deprived of state support like the SCs/STs.
• Major Government Initiatives to mainstream DNTs, NTs, SNTs Various efforts were undertaken for bringing these communities into the mainstream. Accordingly, the first commission was set up in October 2003. The Renke Commission was set up in 2008.
• In 2015, National Commission was constituted under the chairmanship of Bhiku Ramji Idate.
• This commission was tasked to identify and proper listing of these communities in different states, to evaluate the progress of development of these communities in the states so that a systematic approach can be developed for the development of these communities.
• Based on the recommendation of this commission, the Government has set up the Development and Welfare Board for DNTs, SNTs &NTs (DWBDNCs) in 2019.
• The Government also decided to create an umbrella scheme for empowerment of these communities and accordingly, the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs, SNTs &NTs (SEED) has been formulated and launched.

About the SEED Scheme:

• The Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED) for the welfare of De-notified, Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Communities.
• The Aim is to economically empower De-notified, Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Communities.
• The scheme will be for a period of 5 years starting Financial Year 2021-22 to 2025-26. The scheme 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.

Source: EPIC February 2022