Rajya Sabha MP urges special policy to uplift nomadic, denotified tribes

Rajya Sabha member Paka Venkata Satyanarayana has urged the Union and state governments to frame a dedicated policy to ensure that constitutional benefits reach Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs, NTs, and SNTs) in full measure.

Speaking as the chief guest at a BJP-organised event in Vijayawada on Monday to mark the Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes Day, Mr. Satyanarayana noted that a large section of these communities continues to face social and economic hardships even eight decades after Independence.

He observed that while Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, and minorities have gained from various welfare schemes, several generations of DNTs, NTs, and SNTs have remained largely excluded due to the absence of a comprehensive assessment of their living conditions.

The MP highlighted the historical contribution of nomadic communities to preserving Indian culture and traditions despite foreign invasions and colonial rule. He pointed out that the British administration had stigmatised them as 'criminals by birth' and enforced policies that pushed them to the fringes of society.

Mr. Satyanarayana acknowledged that the current central government has paid attention to the plight of these communities and taken steps to address their issues. He demanded that both the Centre and states formulate a special action plan aimed at strengthening their livelihoods.

BJP leaders N. Madhukar, Adduri Sriram, Subrahmanyam, Bitra Sivanarayana, and K. Dileep were present at the programme.