Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today announced to set up 'Vimukt Ghumantu Jati Vikas Board' to bring Denotified Tribes (DNTs) into the mainstream.
Khattar also announced that the Habitual Offenders Act would be abolished to ensure that no action is taken against the members belonging to the Vimukt, Ghumantu and Ardh- Ghumantu Jatis, an official release said here.
CM conceded to most of the demands of the DNTs. He was addressing a state-level 'Mukti Divas' Samaroh, organized by the 'Haryana Vimukt, Ghumantu, Ardh-Ghumantu and Tapriwas Jan-Jati Kalyan Sangh' in Panipat today, the release said.
He announced that hostels for the students belonging to DNTs would be constructed wherever required.
The government would also make available plots for the construction of community centres in different districts of the state.
Many castes are included in the list of DNTs which are -- Bawaria, Sanshi, Bajigar (Banjara), Spela (Nath), Hedi Nayak), Deha, Odh, Sikligarh, Gadia Lohar, Doom/Mirasi, Singikat, Jogi, Nut, Bhatt, Sorgar/Shergar, Palgadaria and Ram Sik.
The Board, Khattar said, would comprise representatives of both government and the community.
An advisory committee would also be set up to conduct a survey to ascertain the number of people belonging to DNTs living in different parts of the state.
MP Ashwani Chopra said, "It is a matter of pride for all of us that members of DNTs have self-respect, believe in hard work and never resort to begging."
The Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Kavita Jain said that many castes in Haryana were still fighting for their rights even after several years of Independence.
