The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday formed a high-power committee to oversee the implementation of schemes meant for the Dhangar community. The state government has announced a total of 13 schemes for the Dhangar community, of which Rs 140 crore was allocated in August 2019.
The committee is authorised to present new schemes if needed and will oversee the implementation and control of the schemes. The committee is authorized to present new schemes if needed and will oversee the implementation and control of the schemes. Dhangars form an important part of the ruling BJP’s support base and the community has been demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status from its existing OBC status.
“In one of the housing schemes meant for Dhangars, not a single beneficiary could be identified since the scheme was never publicised or taken to the public. One of the reasons is also lack of follow up from the administrative level,” said an official from the OBC welfare department.
While delivering the budget for the years 2023–24, then Finance Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the funds would be made available and a high-power committee would be formed to oversee the implementation of the schemes. The committee will include the finance minister, OBC Welfare minister, Tribal Development Minister, Rural Development Department minister, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries development minister and one non-government member from each of the revenue divisions belonging to the Dhangar community.
