New Delhi, August 18: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing targeted welfare and socio-economic empowerment measures for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic (DNT/NT/SNT) communities through the Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC).

The DWBDNC is implementing the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED), which focuses on four key areas — education, healthcare, livelihoods and housing. Under the scheme, eligible members of DNT communities receive support for quality coaching for competitive examinations, health insurance, community-level livelihood initiatives and financial assistance for house construction.

The institutional framework for these interventions followed the constitution of the National Commission for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes in January 2015, which submitted its report in December 2017.

The government subsequently constituted the DWBDNC in February 2019 after considering the commission’s recommendations. Through SEED and the DWBDNC, the government aims to address key socio-economic challenges and expand access to education, healthcare, livelihood opportunities and improved housing for eligible DNT/NT/SNT communities.