UP to set up board for nomadic tribes

Lucknow: The state govt on Tuesday announced that it would soon set up the ‘Uttar Pradesh Ghumantu Vikas Board’, which will work towards the development of denotified, nomadic and semi-nomadic communities.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the UP state backward classes commission, chaired by commission chairman Rajesh Verma.

Representatives of Ghumantu tribes had met minister for social welfare (independent charge) Asim Arun in Feb this year and were promised permanent housing and ID proofs.

The delegation had complained to the minister that in the absence of ID proofs, they did not have permanent homes, which further complicated the process for them to get any IDs. Lack of IDs was preventing them from getting their children enrolled in schools or get advantages of govt schemes.

Tuesday’s meeting also saw a review of the progress of public welfare schemes being implemented in the state. Instructions were given to ensure effective action for the protection of backward class interests and resolution of their problems. Verma said that the departments concerned should carry out swift disposal of complaints received from the National Backward Classes Commission.