Question : Welfare of Nishad Community

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1590
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2020

WELFARE OF NISHAD COMMUNITY

1590. SHRI PRAVEEN KUMAR NISHAD:

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

(a) whether the ‘Nishad‘ Community is the second largest Community in Uttar Pradesh;

(b) if so, whether there are many subcastes of Nishad community like Kewat, Mallah, Dhivar, Kashyap, Batham, Bind, Raikwar, Kumhar, Turaiha, Manjhi, Turha and 578 sub-castes in the country;
(c) whether these communities are facing Social, economic and Financial backwardness in the country; and

(d) the measures taken/being taken by the Government for the welfare and upliftment of these communities?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI KRISHAN PAL GURJAR)

(a): In the Population Census, the enumeration of Castes and Communities other than the Schedules Castes and Scheduled Tribes has been discontinued as a matter of policy after Independence. Hence, it cannot be stated whether ‘Nishad’ community is the second largest Community in the State of Uttar Pradesh.

(b) and (c): This Department has no details regarding the sub-castes of ‘Nishad’ community and data whether these communities are facing Social, economic and Financial backwardness in the country.
(d): The Government is implementing the various educational empowerment and economic development Schemes for welfare and upliftment for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Persons belonging to the castes/communities which are included in the Central List of Scheduled Castes or Other Backward Classes are eligible to avail the benefits of these schemes. ‘Nishad’ community is not included in the Central List of SCs and/or OBCs in the State of Uttar Pradesh.

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