Vijayawada, April 17: The Central government is taking concrete steps towards the liberation and social development of Denotified Tribes (DNTs), with a firm commitment to erasing the colonial-era criminal stigma attached to these communities and mainstreaming them into society, said DNT Board members Praveen Guge and Bharat Bhai Patni on Friday.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP State office here, they said the SEED scheme would play a pivotal role in the development of approximately 80 lakh DNT community members in Andhra Pradesh. They expressed concern over the inordinate delays in the issuance of DNT certificates in the State.

The DNT Board members suggested that the Gujarat model be replicated in Andhra Pradesh, with the process of issuing certificates being expedited through District Collectors. They demanded that welfare schemes be extended to all communities identified by the Idate Commission and called for the immediate constitution of a dedicated DNT Development Board in the State.

They also urged the State government to go beyond issuing house pattas on paper and ensure that land is physically handed over to beneficiaries without further delay. They indicated that these issues would be taken up directly with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and the State Chief Secretary.

The BJP leaders announced that a special event, 'Vimukta Dinotsavam', would be organised exclusively for DNT communities. They assured that the BJP OBC Morcha would stand firmly behind these communities at the district level in safeguarding their rights.

Among those present at the event were OBC Morcha State president Rongala Gopi Srinivas, former NTDNTDT convener Arabolu Chandrashekhar, leaders Annapureddy Venkat and Gorantla Srinivas, BJP State media in-charge Kilaru Dilip, OBC Coastal Andhra zonal in-charge Tullimilli Ramakrishna Yadav, and OBC State secretary Shivalalitha.