Raja Syed Rather
Srinagar, Dec 20 : In a significant step towards supporting the nomadic tribal communities in Jammu and Kashmir, the government has rolled out targeted measures aimed at enhancing their access to central welfare schemes.
This initiative seeks to address the unique challenges faced by these families, ensuring they benefit from the various social and economic opportunities provided by government programs.
Many of these communities have struggled to benefit from socio-economic initiatives due to a lack of identification documents, as highlighted by the Minister of Tribal Affairs in the Rajya Sabha.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, responsible for nomadic tribes as per the Government of India’s rules, has informed that de-notified, nomadic, and semi-nomadic communities (DNTs) with a total family income of Rs 2.5 lakh or less are eligible for various benefits, including the scheme for economic empowerment of DNTs (SEED), pre-matric scholarships, and top-class education scholarships for OBC, EBC, and DNT students.
To avail these benefits, individuals must obtain a DNT certificate.
Advisories have been issued to Chief Secretaries of states, including Jammu and Kashmir, to ensure DNT certificates are issued in a time-bound manner after proper verification. The Minister also noted that there is no community-wise data on how DNTs have benefited from central schemes, as many of these communities are categorized under SC, ST, or OBC in various states.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the Department of Tribal Affairs is working to reach out to landless, homeless, and “paperless” nomadic families using Aadhaar data. For those without Aadhaar, door-to-door surveys and verifications are being conducted. The government is also utilizing documents such as Pasture passes, Job Cards, and Labour Cards to help families qualify for benefits.
To further assist, Aadhaar Centres and Common Service Centres (CSCs) have been set up in tribal areas, allowing the tribal population to obtain necessary documentation.
Additionally, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with state governments, is organizing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) camps to help families prepare essential documents like Aadhaar cards and Jan Dhan Bank accounts, ensuring that deserving families can access welfare programs—
