State cabinet decides to set up high powered committee for Dhangar schemes

The Maharashtra government has formed a high power committee (HPC) to oversee the implementation of schemes for the Dhangar community, in order to prevent protests from escalating. The committee, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, will monitor the implementation of the 13 schemes announced for the community in 2019. The Dhangars, currently classified as Nomadic Tribes, are seeking Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which would entitle them to a higher quota. The community, which represents around 9% of Maharashtra's population, holds influence in four Lok Sabha constituencies in Western Maharashtra.