Commission member concerned over welfare schemes for nomads

Jalandhar, Sep 2 (UNI) National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Tribes member Laxmanbhai Patni has demanded setting up of state advisory committees in all states for monitoring welfare schemes for nomads.

Talking to reporters here today, Mr Patni said that only a few Congress ruled states in the country had clubbed up such advisory committees with those for Scheduled Castes(SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). However such a move had not prooved effective, he added.

He said that seprate committees with representatives from denotified castes, nomadic and semi nomadic castes should be constituted in every state.

He also stressed the need of statewise surveys for proper assessment of problems and needs of these classes.

Mr Patni expressed satisfaction over the attitude of the UPA Government for showing concern for these classes and activating the commission with due facilitation.

However, he expressed dissappointment over the attitude of BJP Government in Gujarat for delisting about half a dozen castes of denotified nomadic or semi nomadic classes from the SC and ST categories.

He said that the commission was presently undertaking tours of various states to assess problems and needs of these classes.

Mr Patni said that the commission would forward its interim recommendations to the Centre for welfare of these classes by October this year.

UNI SS HS VD RN1754