National

MP takes up cause of nomadic tribes

NEW DELHI: Hopeful that the government would accept the recommendations of the National Commission for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Member of Parliament Haribhau Rathod has demanded 7 per cent reservation for this section of society from within the 27 per cent quota for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

At present, this section is included in the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBC categories, with a bulk of them falling within the Most Backward Classes. Its population is believed to be 15 crore and are spread over the country. They were dependent on forests, animals and environment for their livelihood. However, with laws related to environment and animal rights becoming stringent, many of them have lost their traditional skills and shifted to other professions.

Mr. Rathod suggested that these tribes be categorised under Third Schedule by amending the Constitution. He had introduced a Private Member’s Bill in the Lok Sabha for a constitutional amendment in this respect.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Rathod pointed out that the denotified and nomadic tribes is a different group that has a constitutional right to get the benefits of socio-economic reservation as was done in the case of the SCs and STs.

“If we are not able to provide them this constitutionally justified right now, then they would remain backward indefinitely.”

In response, the Prime Minister had assured him that the recommendations of the Commission were examined by the government and would be brought to the Cabinet shortly.

The Commission, chaired by Balkrishna Renke, in its report submitted to the government in July last, recommended reservation for these tribes in elected bodies – gram panchayat to Parliament – educational institutions and employment. It also suggested initiation of special housing schemes, skill development programmes and a permanent commission for the denotified, nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes.

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