The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE), through the Development and Welfare Board for De‑Notified, Nomadic and Semi‑Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC), and the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), through the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY‑NRLM), today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance inclusive development and social justice for historically marginalized communities.

The MoU was signed by Sri V. Apparao, CEO DWBDNC, MoSJE, and Sri T. K. Anil Kumar, Additional Secretary, MoRD, marking a significant step toward integrating DNT Self‑Help Groups (SHGs) into the DAY‑NRLM ecosystem.

For generations, DNT communities have faced social exclusion, limited access to finance, and barriers to livelihoods. This partnership seeks to unlock new opportunities by:

• Onboarding DNT SHGs into NRLM Village Organizations (VOs), Cluster Level Federations (CLFs), and livelihood value chains.
• Providing capacity building, credit linkages, and diversified livelihood opportunities.
• Ensuring coordination between DWBDNC and State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs) for sustained support.
• Strengthening convergence with national missions to create equitable development pathways.

Over the next three years, more than 5,000 DNT SHGs formed under DWBDNC will be assimilated into the DAY‑NRLM framework, gaining access to its full range of services. A unique feature of this collaboration is the introduction of a dedicated cadre — DNT Sakhi. Drawn from within the community, each Sakhi will support about 30 families organized into three SHGs.

Sri V. Apparao, CEO DWBDNC, MoSJE, said: “DWBDNC is committed to creating and nurturing DNT SHGs for a year. After 12 months of handholding, their onboarding into the NRLM ecosystem will strengthen them further by providing access to credit, institutional support, and dedicated guidance.”

Sri T. K. Anil Kumar, Additional Secretary, MoRD, added: “The empowerment of marginalized groups is a long journey that requires patience and persistence. NRLM is committed to nurturing DNT households beyond the initial year, for the next 3–5 years, to help them come out of poverty and build sustainable livelihoods.”

Officials emphasized that this MoU is not just an agreement but a commitment to dignity, opportunity, and empowerment. It represents a shared vision to connect every DNT household to sustainable institutions of development and self‑reliance. Together, DWBDNC and DAY‑NRLM look forward to a journey defined by trust, cooperation, and transformative outcomes for DNT families across India.

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KV

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