Fri Jan 10 23:55:00 UTC 2025: ## Denotified Tribes Demand Action on Caste Certificates, Commission Recommendations

**New Delhi, January 11, 2025** – Anger is mounting among Denotified, Semi-nomadic, and Nomadic Tribes (DNT/SNT/NT) across India due to widespread denial of caste certificates and the stalled implementation of the Idate Commission’s 2017 report. While the Centre’s SEED scheme for economic empowerment has finally launched, its impact remains limited, fueling frustration among community leaders.

The Idate Commission recommended a permanent commission for DNTs/SNT/NTs, proper classification of communities, and a detailed caste census. Members of the Development and Welfare Board for DNTs, SNTs, and NTs (DWBDNC) are pushing for these recommendations to be implemented, criticizing the government’s slow response and questioning the BJP’s narrative on tribal identity.

Bharatbhai Babubhai Patni, a DWBDNC member, questioned the government’s approach, highlighting the DNTs’ historical resistance against British rule and their adherence to Hindu dharma. He demanded the creation of a schedule listing all DNTs and the issuance of joint certificates (e.g., SC-DNT, ST-DNT). Similar concerns were echoed at a recent national-level meeting.

The Idate Commission identified 1,526 DNT, NT, and SNT communities, with 269 uncategorized. While some states claim progress in issuing DNT certificates, community leaders say the numbers are insignificant, and the denial of certificates undermines their identity. The lack of leadership representation within the DWBDNC, which still lacks a full-time chairman, further exacerbates their concerns.

The SEED scheme, launched in 2022, has distributed Ayushman cards, sanctioned housing applications, and established self-help groups, but its reach remains limited due to slow implementation and difficulties in identifying beneficiaries. Community leaders also highlighted the absence of district-level complaints committees.

The government recently pledged to address these issues, including urging states to issue DNT certificates, provide land to landless families, and establish complaints committees. However, the lack of progress on the Idate Commission’s recommendations remains a major concern, particularly regarding the classification of sub-castes and hyphenated caste names. A meeting is scheduled later this month to further press for these demands.

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