Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2024, to be answered on 11.12.2025, concerns the inclusion of communities from Assam in the ST list, posed by MD. Rakibul Hussain. The Minister of Tribal Affairs was asked about consultations with the State Government of Assam and community organizations regarding the inclusion of six communities in the ST list, the dates and outcomes of consultations over the past three years, and any objections or recommendations raised by constitutional bodies such as the Registrar General of India (RGI) or the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).
Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durgadas Uikey, responded (a) that no consultations were held. (b) In view of (a), the question does not arise. (c & d) The Government of India, according to its guidelines issued on 15.6.1999 (further amended on 25.6.2002 and 14.9.2022), outlines the modalities for claims related to inclusion, exclusion, or modifications in Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes lists. Only proposals recommended and justified by the concerned State Government/UT Administration and concurred with by the RGI and NCST are considered for legislative amendment. Comments/observations from RGI/NCST are communicated to the States/UTs for clarification. Actions are taken based on approved modalities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The central ministry responsible for matters related to tribal affairs.
Assam: Indian state, the focus of the query regarding inclusion of communities in the ST list.
Scheduled Tribes (ST) list: The official list of tribes recognized as Scheduled Tribes, entitling them to specific protections and benefits.
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST): Constitutional body that raises objections/recommendations regarding inclusion of communities in ST list.
Registrar General of India (RGI): Constitutional body that raises objections/recommendations regarding inclusion of communities in ST list.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2024
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2025
INCLUSION OF COMMUNITIES FROM ASSAM IN ST LIST
2024. MD. RAKIBUL HUSSAIN:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Ministry has held consultations with the State Government of Assam and community
organisations regarding inclusion of the Six communities in the ST list and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the dates and outcomes of such consultations during the last three years;
(c) whether any objections or recommendations were raised by constitutional bodies such as the Registrar
General of India (RGI) or the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST); and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps the Government proposes to take to resolve these issues and
expedite the decision?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a): No, Sir.
(b): In view of (a), does not arise.
(c) & (d): 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. In case of any comments/observationsby RGI/NCST, the same
are communicated to the States/UTs seeking clarifications. All actions on the proposals are taken as per
these approved modalities.
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