Tribe categorisation work delays benefits under SEED

Source: The post is based on the article “Tribe categorisation work delays benefits under SEED” published in The Hindu on 30th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Ministry of Social Justice Ministry has so far received 402 online applications from across the country to avail benefits under Scheme for Economic Empowerment of Denotified/Nomadic /SemiNomadic(SEED).

However, none of the applications have been approved yet with multiple officials explaining that the exercise to bring all DNT, NT and SNT communities under SC, ST and OBC categories is holding up the implementation of the scheme.

What is a SEED Scheme?

The scheme is meant for the upliftment of Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs/NTs/SNTs).

Aim: To provide 1) free competitive exam coaching to these students 2) provide health insurance to families 3) uplift clusters of these communities through livelihood initiatives and 4) provide financial assistance for housing. 

Implementation: The scheme will be implemented through an online portal that will issue a unique ID to each applicant so they can apply and track the status of their application online.

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Why are the applications received under SEED Scheme not been approved yet?

The application has not been approved as there is a problem in accurate categorisation of DNTs/NTs/SNTs under the list of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. 

The Development and Welfare Board for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC) is working with the list of DNTs/NTs/SNTs enumerated by the Idate Commission  which listed 1,262 such communities and categorized them under SC/ST or OBC and others. 

However, there are several inaccuracies in the categorisation by the Idate Commission.For instance, some communities like the Banjara people were under the SC list in Delhi, the ST list in Rajasthan and the OBC list in Uttar Pradesh. 

Note: This categorisation of DNTs/NTs/SNTs is essential for the implementation of SEED because there is no schedule in the Constitution providing for their reservation.