Dhangars in Maharashtra to get benefits of tribal schemes

The Dhangar community will get benefits of the schemes launched by the tribal development department of the Maharashtra government, said state minister Vishnu Savra Wednesday.

Savra, the minister for tribal development, clarified that the existing reservation and funding of schemes will not be reduced and asked the tribals not to fall for any "mischief" over the issue.

The Dhangar (the shepherd) community has been for long agitating for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

A cabinet sub-committee, under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and comprising nine ministers, was set up on March 1 this year to study the problems and demands of the Dhangar Community.

A meeting of the sub-committee was held on March 2 and a report on the community's socio-economic status submitted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences was discussed.

"The sub-committee has decided to send this report to the Advocate General seeking feedback regarding legal proceedings (on demand for ST status)," the minister said.

"The Dhangar community will be given the benefit of the schemes of tribal development department without disturbing the existing tribal reservation. An independent financial provision will be made for this," Savra added.

He said the government has decided to implement various education schemes for Thilari and Gawali-Dhangar communities.

Savra said the government has launched independent schemes without tinkering with the provision of tribal reservation.

"But some people with vested interest are spreading wrong information about this system of the government in the tribal community.

"In fact, despite knowing that the process of including a community in the Scheduled Tribes is extremely complex, opponents are doing unnecessary politics," he said.