There are approximately 15 crore nomads in India and less than one percent of them do not have Indian citizenship. So they cannot avail any welfare schemes. They are migrating from one state to another state, from one district to another district. Their place of residence is not fixed, they have no house, no education and no power to avail the scheme. The prevailing method of availing the scheme requires application, proof of citizenship etc. So how will this society benefit from these schemes? So it is only to show that we are doing something for this society by implementing the scheme. But, in reality, they cannot be useful to society, expressed the regret of Balkrishna Renke, former president of the National Vimukt Bhatkya Jamaati.
“Even an ant does not hesitate to bite if someone's foot falls. Due to the disinterest of the rulers and the government agencies, the attitude of biting has arisen in the state of nomadism. We do not want to be Naxalite, because Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's inspired democracy is influenced by love and the Constitution. However, the government should at least give recognition to the existence of 15 crore people, says Balkrishna Renke.
There are more than 50 nomadic castes and nearly 300 local castes in Maharashtra. There are over 1600 castes and tribes in the country, with a population of around 15 crores. During this period, 227 new tribes were formed, whose governments were never established. That is the basic problem. These people who live in the forest, mountains, outside the city, outside the village have no identity card like a voting card, ration card, and Aadhaar card, which are required as citizens. So how will these tribes get the benefit of concessions and government schemes? There are many castes of nomads in SC, ST and OBC. Some are nowhere. However, these tribes cannot avail the benefits of any category of concessions. In fact, they are not allowed to benefit. Renke criticized that the government system only works to keep the nomads away from the development process. Disregarding what should be done, paper horses are being danced.
The Renke Commission submitted a report in 2008 with recommendations to improve the situation of nomads. The government accepted the reality. However, the recommendations made to change their condition were not accepted. Then in 2016, the Edate Commission was established. He submitted the report in 2018. This commission also depicted the halakhic condition of the nomadic society. This commission made recommendations similar to the Renke Commission, with a slight difference. However, even this time, the recommendations have not been accepted and implemented. Renke expressed his dismay.
The government has now set up Vimukt Bhatke Kalyan Mandal and allocated 40 crores to it. In February 2022, the government made a provision of 200 crores by introducing the 'Seed' scheme. It has been a year since this event, except for the establishment, not a single crore has been spent on society. How will citizens get benefits if they do not have an identity card? How can you celebrate the Amrit Mahatesva of freedom if the brothers from the bottom who do not have a home to live in and food in the village will not get any benefit? They are indigenous but non-existent. Balkrishna Renke expressed the feeling that it was necessary to give them the documents first.
India is celebrating the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence. Some good things have happened in the country in the last 75 years, and it is not out of place to celebrate them. But, even during the Amrit period, they granted the right of citizenship to the nomads. Renke appealed to them to participate in this joy.
