UP for Banjaras in Scheduled Tribe category

The Uttar Pradesh cabinet Thursday approved the inclusion of the Banjara tribe in the list of Scheduled Tribes and decided to recommend this to the union government.

A state government spokesman said a study conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute had inferred that the Banjara tribe was a fit case for being included within the Scheduled Tribe category, because of the its economic, social and educational status.

The state cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, approved the recommendation of the institute and decided it to forward it to the union government for further action.

The cabinet also approved a policy for setting up of theme parks in the state to promote tourism.

It was also decided that people or organisations willing to set up theme or entertainment parks at a cost of Rs.500 crore or more will be given incentives by the government.