Former Yavatmal MP and national president of Denotified and Nomadic Tribes (DNT) Haribhau Rathod hailed the draft recommendations of the working group of National Advisory Council (NAC) and said that it is a landmark document that would have a far reaching results if accepted and implemented by the union and state governments. Rathod was addressing a press conference on Monday.
Rathod said that barring Maharashtra, the condition of nomadic tribes in the country is pathetic and nobody has taken any effective measures to help the community.
The NAC constituted a working group under the chairmanship of Planning Commission member Narendra Jadhav who, after due deliberations with over 40 civil and social communities, prepared a draft recommendation document. They submitted it on October 18 to NAC.
Rathod said that the Balkrishna Renke commission, in its report to the central government in 2008, stressed for amendment of the constitution and reservation in government service for persons belonging to Nomadic Tribes.
Rathod has demanded cancellation of the Habitual Offender Act, 1952, and amendment to the National Wildlife Act, 1972, to provide right over forest land to Nomadic Tribes for their daily bread. He claimed that brew manufacturing was the traditional vocation of the Nomadic Tribes and hence they should be granted licence for setting up distilleries.
"Ashram schools must be set up for our children up to Class X free of cost, scholarships should be granted to our children and employment opportunity should be provided to our educated youths," Rathod demanded.
Rathod has made it clear that he would not be satisfied merely with inclusion of Nomadic Tribes in the OBC category having 27% reservation.
"I demand bifurcation of 27% reservation and thereby ensure 7 % of reservation exclusively for the Denotified and Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribe communities throughout the country," he said.
