About the Board:
- It was set up in 2019 under the Ministry of Social Justice.
- It aims to look after the development and welfare of Denotified Tribes, Nomadic Tribes and Semi-Nomadic Tribes communities.
- These groups were earlier branded as “criminal tribes” under British rule and remain socially and economically marginalised.
- The Board was meant to coordinate welfare schemes, suggest policy changes, and ensure better inclusion of these groups.
- It was also supposed to work on data collection, issuing community certificates, and linking benefits with SC/ST/OBC categories.
Issues Faced by Commission:
- The Board has only two members, while many key posts remain vacant.
- It has very limited financial powers and authority.
- There is no permanent staff, and even the office space is inadequate.
- Reliable region-wise data is missing, which makes policy planning very difficult.
What the Board is Asking:
- The Board should be made a permanent Commission with statutory backing.
- It should be given more members, proper staff, and clear financial powers.
- Gazette notifications should be issued to legally recognise all identified groups as SC/DNT, ST/DNT, OBC/DNT, or General/DNT.
- Dedicated budgets should be provided at both the Central and State levels.
Why in News?
- The Board has said that without more powers, staff, and money, it cannot solve the problems of Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic communities effectively.

