Central Govt Has Taken Steps To Bring De-Notified Nomadic Tribes Into Mainstream Of The Country: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has observed that steps have been taken by the Central Government to bring the de-notified nomadic tribes into the mainstream of the Country.

A division bench comprising of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad disposed of a public interest litigation seeking directions to make proper scheme and its implementation so that the each and every member of the de-notified nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes enjoy the fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution of India.

It was the case of the petitioner that the members of the de-notified Nomadic Tribes, Semi-Nomadic Tribes and Nomadic Tribes like Banjare, GadiaLuhar, Bawaria, Nat, Kalbelia, Bopa, Sikligar, Singiwal,Kuchbanda, Kalander etc. were being neglected and had not been properly brought into the mainstream.

It was stated that prior to Independence, under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871, the members of the said tribes were named in the said Act and were treated like criminals by birth for the reason that they participated in the first War of Independence in the year 1857.

It was therefore contended that, due to this fact, these tribes were not allowed to settle at one place and were forced to move from one place to another.

The Court took note of an affidavit filed by the Centre in which it was stated that the Government, both at Union and State level, were implementing schemes for the welfare of De-Notified Tribes.

It was further submitted that a welfare scheme namely Scheme for Economic Empowerment of De-Notified Tribes (SEED) with a budget of Rs.200 Crore for next 5 years starting from Financial Year 2021-22 has been approved by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and it is likely to be launched very soon.

The affidavit also stated that several schemes had been brought out by the Government to ensure that proper education is given to the children belonging to these tribes under the Samagra Shiksha scheme.

"A perusal of the counter affidavit and the Status Report filed by the Respondents shows that the prayers of the Petitioner herein in the instant writ petition have been answered inasmuch as steps have been taken by the Government to bring these De-Notified Tribes into the mainstream of the country. No further Orders/directions are necessary in this case," the Court observed.

Accordingly, the plea was disposed of.

Case Title: SHRI SALEK CHAND JAIN v. MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ORS.

Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Del) 642

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