Dhebar Commission Report
The Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes Commission, commonly known as the Dhebar Commission, was indeed established by the Government of India in 1960. Its main purpose was to assess the status of implementation of safeguards for Scheduled Tribes and the development of Scheduled Areas as outlined in the Constitution of India.
The commission was chaired by Loknath Mishra, also known as D.N. Dhebar, a prominent Indian politician. It submitted its report in 1961. The report addressed various aspects related to the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes, including land rights, education, healthcare, economic development, and political representation.
Key recommendations of the Dhebar Commission's report included:
- Strengthening and effective implementation of protective and developmental provisions for Scheduled Tribes as enshrined in the Constitution.
- Land reforms and protection of tribal land rights, including measures to prevent alienation of tribal lands.
- Promotion of education among tribal communities, including the establishment of schools and hostels in tribal areas.
- Improvement of healthcare facilities and access to basic amenities in tribal areas.
- Economic development initiatives tailored to the needs and aspirations of tribal communities, including support for agriculture, animal husbandry, and small-scale industries.
- Empowerment of tribal communities through measures such as the promotion of tribal cooperatives and the reservation of seats in legislative bodies.
The recommendations of the Dhebar Commission played a significant role in shaping policies and programs aimed at the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes in India.