Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar launches a Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED)


Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED): Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, on 16 February 2022, launched the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED).

Key Points:

  • This scheme was launched at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi for the welfare of De-notified tribes (DNTs), Nomadic tribes (NTs) and Semi Nomadic tribes (SNTs).
  • Dr Virendra Kumar, while speaking after inaugurating the umbrella scheme of the centre, said that this scheme signifies Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas in a true manner.
  • He highlighted the various features of the scheme such as free education opportunity, health insurance worth five lakh rupees under Ayushman Bharat, better facilities for livelihood and financial assistance for construction of houses.
  • This would prove to be a game changer towards empowering the De-notified Tribes communities.

How are the community deprived?

  • The DNTs, NTs, SNTs are the most neglected, marginalized and economically and socially deprived communities.
  • Historically, these communities never had access to private land or home ownership.
  • They used forests and grazing lands as a mean for their livelihood and residential use.
  • The misery of these communities began with the enactment of the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871 during British rule.
  • Even after the Independence, they have not benefited much from the planned development of over seven decades.
  • They were deprived of state support like the SCs/STs.

Efforts in the past by the government:

  • Various efforts have been undertaken to bring these communities into the mainstream.
  • In October 2003, the first commission to look into the problems of these communities.
  • In 2008, the Renke Commission was set up.
  • In 2014, the National Commission for De-Notified, Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Tribes was constituted under the chairmanship of Shri Bhiku Ramji Idate.
    • The commission was constituted for a period of three years.
    • This commission was tasked among others 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.
    • The Commission submitted its report in December, 2017.
  • In 2019, based on the recommendation of this commission, the Government of India (GoI) set up the Development and Welfare Board for DNTs, SNTs &NTs (DWBDNCs).

About Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED):

  • GoI also decided to create an umbrella scheme for empowerment of these communities and accordingly, the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs, SNTs &NTs (SEED).
  • It has been formulated with four components that affect their livelihood.
  • The four component of the SEED scheme are:
  1. Educational empowerment- Free coaching to students from these communities for Civil Services, entry to professional courses like medicine, engineering, MBA, etc.
  2. Health Insurance through PMJAY of National Health Authority.
  3. Livelihoods to support income generation, and
  4. Housing (through PMAY/IAY)
  • The scheme will ensure expenditure of Rs.200 crore to be spent over five years beginning 2021-22.
  • The DWBDNCs has been tasked with the implementation of this scheme.

Portal to implement the scheme:

  • One important feature of this scheme is the online portal.
  • The portal has been developed by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment.
  • This scheme will be implemented through the portal.
  • The portal comprises of two modules:
  • The first module for registration of applicant with details of his family, caste certificate, Occupation, income, Aadhar & bank details, etc.
  • The second module comprise of scheme component for which applicant wants to seek benefit with his UID.

Significance of the portal:

  • This portal will ensure seamless registration and will also act as a repository of the data on these communities.
  • The portal is very user friendly and easily accessible on mobile phone with its mobile application.
  • It will provide real time status of the application to the applicant.
  • The payment to the beneficiaries will be made directly in to their accounts.

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