Tag: Development and Welfare of Denotified

UPSC DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS (13H JANUARY, 2025) Development and Welfare of Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes Syllabus: GS2/Polity and Governance Context The Development and Welfare Board for Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DWBDNC) is making renewed efforts to implement the recommendations of the Idate Commission to address the challenges faced by these communities and improve their socio-economic conditions. Nomadic, Semi Nomadic, and Denotified Tribes (NTs, SNTs, and DNTs) Nomadic communities: Communities that move frequently instead of settling in one place. They are often engaged in traditional occupations like herding, trading, or crafts. Semi-nomadic Tribes: Partially nomadic and partially settled, migrating seasonally but also establishing temporary settlements. Denotified tribes (DNTs): Formerly classified as “criminal tribes” under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871 during British rule. The Act was repealed in 1952, and these communities were “de-notified.” While most DNTs are spread across the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories, some DNTs are not covered in any of the SC, ST or OBC categories. Status: The Idate Commission had concluded there were a total of 1,526 DNT, NT, and SNT communities across the country, of which 269 were not yet categorised as either SC, ST, or OBC. There are a total of 425 Denotified Tribes, 810 Nomadic Tribes and 27 Semi Nomadic Tribes in India. Of DNT communities, Lambadas (STs) are the most vocal and visible, followed by Vadderas (BCs) in government sector and political spheres. Challenges faced by NTs, SNTs, and DNTs Lack of Recognition and Documentation: Denotified communities are lacking citizenship documents, which makes their identity invisible and causes hindrances in obtaining government benefits, constitutional, and citizenship rights. Limited Political Representation: Inadequate representation of these communities makes it challenging to voice their concerns and advocate for their rights. Social Stigma and Discrimination: NTs, SNTs, and DNTs often face discrimination and social stigma, both due to their historical denotified status and their distinct way of life. Economic Marginalization: Lack of access to resources, markets, and employment opportunities results in economic marginalization of these communities. Educational Deprivation: Educational opportunities for these tribes are limited, leading to high illiteracy rates. Recommendations of the Idate Commission In 2014 , a National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Tribes was constituted under the Chairmanship of Bhiku Ramji Idate for a period of three years. The commission has given the following recommendations; There is a need to identify challenges faced by the NTs, SNTs, and DNTs owing to the stigma imposed by the enactment of the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871. It also suggested the non-inclusion of DNTs/NTs/SNTs under the SC/ST/OBC and formulation of specific policies for the former, among many others. Setting up a permanent commission for Nomadic, Semi Nomadic, and Denotified Tribes (NTs, SNTs, and DNTs) in India. It stressed on taking measures to discern hurdles endured by the communities in availing basic facilities such as education, employment, health care, and legal documents, among others. Steps taken by Government Development and Welfare Board for DNTs, SNTs, and NTs (DWBDNC): Constituted in 2019 to address welfare concerns. NITI Aayog Identification Efforts: A committee was established to finalize the identification of these communities. Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED): Launched in 2022 with a budget of ₹200 crore over five years (2021-26). The four components of the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs are: Coaching for competitive exams. Health insurance. Community-level livelihood initiatives. Financial assistance for housing construction. Way Ahead The colonial mindset about the Denotified Tribes having “criminal tendencies” needs to change to ensure their human rights are not violated. Proper documentation of their identities needs to be speeded up so that they get the benefits of welfare schemes and the basic needs are provided to them. The NHRC has suggested that there is a need to ensure representation of Denotified tribes in parliament, government institutions and higher education to mitigate the challenges faced by them Should Voter IDs Be Linked with Aadhaar? Syllabus: GS2/Governance Context The debate over linking Voter IDs with Aadhaar has been a contentious issue in India, with arguments both for and against the move. Background The Election Commission of India (ECI) launched the National Electoral Rolls Purification and Authentication Program (NERPAP) in 2015 to address issues like duplicate entries in electoral rolls. This initiative aimed to link Voter IDs (EPIC) with Aadhaar numbers for authentication. However, the Supreme Court’s interim order in 2015 restricted the mandatory use of Aadhaar to welfare schemes and PAN linking, halting NERPAP. In 2021, the Representation of the People Act, 1950, was amended to allow voluntary linking of Voter IDs with Aadhaar to enhance electoral roll accuracy and eliminate duplicate entries. Rationale Behind Linking Voter IDs with Aadhaar Elimination of Duplicate and Fraudulent Entries: By linking with Aadhaar, which is based on biometric authentication, the duplication of entries across constituencies can be minimized. The Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021, allows electoral officers to request Aadhaar numbers for identity verification. Improved Electoral Rolls: Regular Aadhaar-based verification ensures accurate, updated electoral rolls. Administrative Efficiency: With over 99% of adults possessing Aadhaar cards, utilizing this database can streamline voter verification processes, making them quicker and more cost-effective. Facilitating Voter Mobility: Aadhaar linkage can help voters who move to different states or regions by simplifying the process of updating their voter registration details. Inclusion and Accessibility: Linking Aadhaar with Voter ID can pave the way for future innovations like remote voting, enabling migrant workers and those living away from their constituencies to exercise their voting rights. Arguments Against Linking Voter IDs with Aadhaar Privacy and Data Security Concerns: Linking Aadhaar with Voter IDs could lead to the misuse of personal data, especially in the absence of a robust data protection law, making it vulnerable to breaches, profiling, or surveillance. Data Accuracy Issues: Errors in the Aadhaar database could lead to incorrect voter exclusions or inclusions, undermining electoral integrity. Risk of Disenfranchisement: Past experiences, such as the 2015 linkage exercise in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, resulted in the disenfranchisement (loss of voting rights) of around 30 lakh voters. Errors in biometric authentication, with reported failure rates up to 12%, further exacerbate this risk. Such exclusions in the electoral context would violate the Right to vote. Legal and Constitutional Questions: The Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment on Aadhaar limited its mandatory usage to welfare schemes, emphasizing that it cannot be imposed universally. Linking it with Voter ID could face legal challenges under this precedent. Electoral Manipulation: Critics worry about the centralization of sensitive data, which could theoretically be exploited for political gains or voter profiling. Citizenship Verification Issues: Aadhaar serves as proof of residence, not citizenship. Relying on it for voter verification may not effectively prevent non-citizens from being listed on electoral rolls. Current Status in India As of now, the linking of Voter IDs with Aadhaar remains voluntary. The ECI has clarified that no voter will be denied registration or have their name deleted from the electoral roll due to the inability to furnish an Aadhaar number. Alternative identification documents can be used if Aadhaar is unavailable. Global Perspectives Countries like the United States and the United Kingdom use unique identifiers, but none employ a system as extensive and biometric-based as Aadhaar for voter authentication. Instead, most focus on ensuring inclusivity and avoiding disenfranchisement. Way Forward Robust Legal Safeguards: Enactment of a comprehensive data protection law that ensures privacy and safeguards against misuse is essential before implementing this linkage. Voluntary Opt-in Mechanism: The process should remain voluntary and not impede voters’ rights, ensuring that those without Aadhaar are not disenfranchised. Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating voters about the process and benefits while addressing privacy concerns is critical to garnering trust. Independent Auditing Mechanisms: Regular audits and oversight by independent bodies can ensure the system’s accountability and minimize risks of manipulation or data breaches. Conclusion The linking of Voter IDs with Aadhaar offers potential benefits like enhanced electoral roll accuracy, reduced fraud, and administrative efficiency. However, significant concerns related to privacy, data security, and voter disenfranchisement must be addressed. A balanced approach—focusing on voluntary participation, robust safeguards, and public awareness—can help ensure that this initiative strengthens democracy without compromising citizens’ rights.

Tag: Development and Welfare of Denotified

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