A. Definition of Denotified Tribes
i. Just as there is a Schedule for Tribes and a Schedule for
Castes, no specific Schedule for Denotified Tribes – that is, the communities
notified under a series of Criminal Tribes Acts during the colonial period—was
formed. Some of them have come to be placed as Scheduled Tribes, some as
Scheduled Castes, some others as OBCs, and a few of them excluded from all of
these.
ii. For the purpose of formulating a clear definition of the
Denotified Tribes of India, all communities or segments of communities, that had
been placed under the Criminal Tribes Acts, beginning with CTA 1871, in any
part of colonial India, till their denotification in the 1950s, are to be
considered as Denotified Tribes throughout the Union of India irrespective of
their present geographical location.
iii. The most authentic list of Denotified Tribes was
presented in the Report of Aiyengar Committee (constituted by R. N. 22/1/49—Police-I,
Dt. 28.9.49) prepared for the Union Government (List reproduced on pages 257 to
262). Over and above the communities or tribes listed in the Aiyengar Committee
Report, all other tribes or communities, whose denotification preceded the
date of appointment of the Aiyengar Committee, are to be considered as Denotified
Tribes.
A1. Definition of Nomadic and Semi-nomadic Tribes
i. There has not been any clear definition of Nomadic
Tribes, or Seminomadic Tribes in existence used for official purposes of the Government
of India.The only reliable list of Nomadic Tribes compiled so far can
be sourced from the 1931 Census of India.
ii. All Tribes and Communities included in the 1931 Census
as Nomadic or Semi-nomadic are to be treated for the purposes of the Government
of India as Nomadic Tribes. Any Nomadic Tribe or Semi-nomadic Tribe recognized
in any state of India, or a Union Territory as such, is to be recognized
uniformly as Nomadic Tribes throughout the Union of India, for the
purpose of the Government of India.
iii. As and when the future Census enumeration brings to
notice any other such communities showing livelihood patterns that are nomadic or
semi nomadic, the communities in point be considered through a proper scrutiny
for inclusion in the category of Nomadic Tribes.
A2. Official Listing and Placement of Denotified, Nomadic
and Seminomadic Tribes
i. Any tribe or community falling within the definition of
Denotified Tribes, and recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in one or more state/states,
is to be recognized as Scheduled Tribe for the purpose of the Government of
India.
ii. Any tribe or community falling within the definition of
Denotified Tribes, and recognized as a scheduled Caste in one or more state/states,
is to be recognized as Scheduled Caste throughout the Republic for the purpose
of the Government of India.
iii. Any tribe or community falling within the definition of
Denotified Tribes, and is recognized variously as a Scheduled Tribe as well as Schedule
Caste in different states, is to be recognized as Scheduled Tribe uniformly
throughout the Republic for the purpose of the Government of India.
iv. Any tribe or community that falls within the list of
Denotified Tribes as per the definition of Denotified Tribes given in this
report, and not included in either the schedule of tribes or the schedule of castes,
is to be included either in the schedule of tribes or the schedule of castes by
the government of India on the basis of the merit of the case.
v. Any Tribe or Community or Group recognized in any part,
State or Union Territory of India as Nomadic or Semi-nomadic, is to be recognized
uniformly throughout the Union of India, for the purpose of the Government of
India, as Nomadic Tribe.
vi. Any Nomadic or Semi nomadic tribe or community that
falls within the definition of Nomadic Tribe as given in this report, and recognized
as a Scheduled Tribe in one or more state/states, is to be recognized as
Scheduled Tribe for purpose of the Government of India.
vii. Any Nomadic or Semi nomadic tribe or community that
falls within the definition of Nomadic Tribes given in this report, and
recognized as a scheduled Caste in one or more state/states, is to be
recognized as Scheduled Caste throughout the Republic for the purpose of the Government
of India.
viii. Any Nomadic or Semi nomadic tribe or community that
falls within the definition of Nomadic Tribes given in this report, and
recognized variously as a Scheduled Tribe as well as Schedule Caste in
different states, is to be recognized as Scheduled Tribe uniformly throughout the
Republic for the purpose of the Government of India.
ix. Any Nomadic or Semi nomadic tribe or community that
falls within the list of Nomadic tribes as defined in this report, and not
included in either the schedule of tribes or the schedule of castes, is to be included
either in the schedule of tribes or the schedule of castes by the Government of
India on the basis of the merit of the case.
x. A separate Schedule for Denotified, Nomadic and
Semi-nomadicTribes ought to have been created immediately after Independence.In
absence of such a Scuedule, the Technical Advisory Group strongly recommends
that a Comprehensive National List of Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-nomadic
Tribes and (CNL-DNSTC), at par with
Schedule of Tribes and Schedule of Castes, may be prepared for the following
purposes:
a. For ensuring an equitable delivery of rights,
entitlements and social justice;
b. For redressal of the stigma of criminality;
c. For facilitating inter-ministerial coordination in
dealing with these Tribes and Communities.
Source-Recommendations of the Technical Advisory Group 2006, P 346-349
https://www.scribd.com/doc/933435/TAG-Report
Note- Above note is just an extract of the report.
