The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) stressed on the need for the implementation of the Idate Commission report.

The Commission

• Headed by – Bhiku Ramji Idate.
• Setup by – The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Constituted in – 2015, for a three-year temporary term.
• Purpose – For the empowerment of the Denotified Tribes (DNT), Semi Nomadic (SNT), and Nomadic Tribes (NT).

Nomadic and semi-nomadic communities are defined as those who move from one place to another rather than living at one place all the time.

• The committee had to submit its report identifying the above communities state wise, assessing their development status, and recommending ways to uplift them.
• In May 2018, the National Commission for Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, chaired by Bhiku Ramji Idate has submitted its report.

The commission has studied the earlier report of Renke Commission.

Recommendations

• The Idate Commission has made a total of 20 recommendations which concern the various ministries and departments.
• The government must act to repeal the Habitual Offenders Act, 1952, if not, the appointment of a representative of De-notified Tribe community with the nodal officers as stipulated in the Act.
• Non-inclusion – It also suggested the non-inclusion of DNTs/NTs/SNTs under the SC/ST/OBC and formulation of specific policies for the former, among many others.
• Protection – The commission has recommended giving protection to Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, the communities under the Atrocities Act.
• Poorest of the Poor – The report has called Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes poorest of the poor, most marginalised and most downtrodden communities.
• These communities are subject to social stigma, atrocity and exclusion.
• Constitutional amendment – It recommended a Constitutional amendment so that Scheduled NT/ DNT/ SNT can be added as a third category after Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Act.
• It stated that the government should provide strong legal protections and constitutional safeguards, including the extension of the Protection of Atrocities Act to the NT/ DNT/ SNT communities.
• Third schedule – This can be done by creating a separate Third schedule as Scheduled De-notified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes.
• Criminal Tribes Act – In its report, the commission has noted that entire communities were branded as criminals under the colonial rule through enforcement of the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871.
• Despite repeal of the Act after Independence, subsequent legislations have forcibly alienated them from their traditional occupations and habitations.
• 2011 caste census – Advocated for release of 2011 caste census, which is yet to be made public, at least on the DT/ NT/ SNT community, so that policies can be made specifically for these communities.
• The report of the commission is under the consideration of the government.

A National Commission for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (NCDNT) was first set up in 2003 and later reconstituted in 2005.