In Lok Sabha, the Union Minister of State (MoS) for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey replying today to an un-starred question of Md. Rakibul Hussain and Shri Pradyut Bordoloi  informed that the recommendation for inclusion of Chutiya, Koch-Rajbongshi, Matak, Moran, Tai-Ahom and Tea Tribe communities has been received from the State Government of Assam.

The Government of India on 15.6.1999 (further amended on 25.6.2002 and 14.9.2022) has laid down the modalities for deciding the claims for inclusion in, exclusion from and other modifications in Orders specifying Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes lists. As per the modalities, only those proposals which have been recommended and justified by the concerned State Government / UT Administration and concurred with by Registrar General of India (RGI) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) are to be considered and legislation amended. All action on the proposals is taken as per these approved modalities.

There is no constitutional provision for granting interim ST status

The proposals for inclusion in the list of Scheduled Tribes of a State or Union Territory follow certain processes as per the modalities. This is a continuous process. The proposals are examined by the Office of the RGI and then by the NCST. In case the proposal is not recommended by the RGI, the State Governments are communicated the points raised by the RGI, so that additional information, if any, maybe furnished by the State Government. Many such proposals may therefore remain under examination at different levels.

The Government of Assam has informed that “In pursuance of OM No. 9/3/2011-I (Pt.-I), Dtd-04-01-2019 issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, a Committee of Group of Ministers was constituted to determine quantum of reservation for six communities in the State, suggest revised quantum of reservation for OBCs after creation of a new ST category in Assam and measures ensuring full safeguard to protect the interests, rights and privileges of the existing Scheduled Tribes of Assam. The erstwhile Committee held several rounds of discussions with representatives and leaders of various communities as well as tribal groups. The same Committee has now been reconstituted vide No. E232949/791 dated 04/07/2024 & No.E.232949/799 dated 01/03/2025.”

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RN

(Release ID: 2150795)