Maharashtra cabinet decision: High-level committee to oversee schemes for Dhangar community

The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday formed a high-power committee to oversee the implementation of schemes meant for the Dhangar community. The Chief Minister will be heading the committee. The state government has announced a total of 13 schemes for the Dhangar community, for which Rs 140 crore allocated was made in August 2019. “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 year 2023-24, the then Finance minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced that the funds will be made available and a high power committee will 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.

The committee is authorised to present new schemes if needed and will oversee the implementation and control of the schemes.

Dhangars form an important part of ruling BJP’s support base and the community has been demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status from its existing OBC status.