Mumbai, April 25: The Maharashtra government has taken significant steps to enhance the overall development of nomadic and liberated communities in the state. Atul Sawant, the Minister for Other Backward Classes and Social Welfare, announced the formation of tri-level committees aimed at effectively addressing the issues faced by these communities and preventing atrocities against them.
Minister Sawant stated that these committees, established at the state, district, and sub-district levels, will ensure prompt resolution of complaints from nomadic and liberated communities. Immediate action will be taken in response to incidents of atrocities, and various government schemes will be made accessible to these groups. He emphasized that this initiative will accelerate the social, educational, and economic development of the communities while reducing incidents of violence.
The state-level committee will be chaired by the minister himself, with the department secretary serving as a member. The director of the Pune-based Other Backward Classes and Social Welfare Directorate will act as the member secretary. Additionally, six non-governmental members, including at least one woman, will be included, alongside a joint or deputy secretary working for the nomadic community.
At the district level, the committee will be led by the district collector and magistrate. It will include the police commissioner or superintendent, the chief executive officer, the district caste verification officer, and the assistant director (OBC social welfare). Four non-governmental members from the nomadic community will also be part of this committee.
At the sub-district level, the committee will be chaired by the sub-divisional officer or deputy district collector. Members will include the sub-divisional police officer, the tehsildar, the group development officer, the group education officer, and the officer from the relevant police station. Two non-governmental members from the nomadic and liberated communities will also be included.
The primary function of these committees will be to promptly register FIRs in response to atrocities against nomadic and liberated communities, provide victims with medical and legal assistance, and ensure fair investigations.
Moreover, awareness camps will be organized to enhance legal literacy within the community. Focus will also be placed on health check-ups, disseminating information about government schemes, eradicating superstitions, and ensuring respectful treatment.
Special efforts will be made to promote education, ensure children’s enrollment in schools, and facilitate access to educational schemes. Additionally, the government aims to provide basic amenities such as roads, electricity, water, and housing, while also promoting economic empowerment through employment schemes.
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