Establishment of Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Communities
The Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, visited Tisgaon Tanda village in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, on May 8, 2025. His visit aimed to evaluate the ongoing development initiatives for De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DNTs). Dr. Kumar highlighted the government’s commitment to uplifting these marginalized groups through the SEED (Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs) program and other state-led initiatives.
Commitment to Uplift DNT Communities
During his visit, Dr. Virendra Kumar addressed a gathering, emphasizing the Indian government’s dedication to improving the socio-economic conditions of DNT communities. He pointed out that these communities are among the most marginalized in the country. To facilitate targeted welfare efforts, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has established the Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC). This board is responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of various welfare and development schemes designed specifically for these communities.
Engagement with Local Stakeholders
Dr. Kumar’s visit included direct interactions with a diverse group of stakeholders. He met with state government officials, NGO partners involved in the SEED program, beneficiaries from DNT communities, students, Self Help Group (SHG) members, and local leaders. These discussions provided valuable insights into the ground-level impact of the ongoing programs. The minister’s engagement aimed to gather feedback on the effectiveness of the initiatives and to understand the needs of the communities better.
Distribution of Benefits and Entitlements
As part of the visit, Dr. Kumar distributed various entitlements to eligible members of the DNT communities. These included Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Cards, which ensure access to quality healthcare services, and Kamgar Kalyan Smart Cards, which facilitate welfare benefits for unorganized workers. Additionally, caste certificates were issued to help individuals avail themselves of reservations and affirmative action schemes. The minister also provided revolving funds to Self-Help Groups to support income-generating activities and introduced Entry Point Activities to foster confidence and cohesion among newly formed SHGs.
Overview of the SEED Scheme
The SEED scheme is designed for families with an annual income of โน2.50 lakh or less, specifically targeting those who do not benefit from similar government programs. It comprises four key components aimed at enhancing the welfare of DNT communities. These include providing quality coaching for competitive examinations, health insurance, promoting livelihood initiatives at the community level, and offering financial assistance for housing construction. Dr. Kumar’s visit underscored the government’s commitment to inclusive development and the effective delivery of welfare measures for DNT communities at the grassroots level.
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