Parliament Question: Grant of ST Status to Tea Tribes in Assam

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 829 TO BE ANSWERED ON- 23/07/2026 GRANT OF ST STATUS TO TEA TRIBES IN ASSAM 829. MD. RAKIBUL HUSSAIN: Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government proposes to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the tribes in Assam including Adivasi or "Tea Tribes", Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi, Matak, Moran and Tai-Ahom communities, which has been a long-standing demand, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and (b) whether the Government has taken any measures to examine the socio-economic conditions of the said tribes in Assam, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY) (a): The proposal for inclusion of Tai Ahom, Chutia, Matak, Moran, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes has been received from the State Government of Assam. 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 these modalities, proposals are required to be recommended and duly justified along with an ethnographic report by the concerned State Government / UT Administration. Thereafter, the proposals are required to be concurred with by the Registrar General of India (RGI) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) to be considered and legislation amended. All actions on the proposals are taken as per these approved modalities. (b): The State Government of Assam has informed that:(i) Govt. of Assam has created Matak Autonomous Council, Moran Autonomous Council and Kamatapur Autonomous Council, Adivasi Welfare and Development Council and Development Councils for Ahom and Chutia community for all-round socio-economic condition of these communities. Sufficient fund have been allocated to these Councils in the annual budget for taking up development schemes for their community. (ii) Taking note of comparative disparity of the community, the state Government has made special reservations for these six (6) communities in the educational institutions like Medical, Engineering colleges, University, ITI etc. (iii) 200 (two hundred) Model Tea Estate High Schools have been sanctioned in different Tea-garden areas to meet the aspirations. These schools with state-of-the-art amenities have brought a holistic change among tea garden workers and children as far as quality education is concerned. The schools are equipped with modern amenities for quality education, efficient teachers, technology, smart classrooms and future prospects and plans for the overall development of the students. Out of these, 116 Model Tea Estate High Schools have been made fully functional since 2023. Within a span of 2-3 years, these Model Schools shall be upgraded into Higher Secondary schools. *****