Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs addresses a Lok Sabha question regarding the inclusion of six ethnic communities from Assam (Chutiya, KochRajbongshi, Matak, Moran, TaiAhom, and Tea Tribe) in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list. The response outlines the process for inclusion, the current status of proposals, and the role of various bodies like the Registrar General of India (RGI) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST). The document clarifies that there is no provision for interim ST status.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Proposals for Inclusion:**
* The Government has received proposals from the State Government of Assam for inclusion of the six communities in the ST list.
* **Modalities for Inclusion:**
* The Government of India has laid down modalities for deciding claims for inclusion in the ST list, amended on 15.6.1999, 25.6.2002, and 14.9.2022.
* Proposals must be recommended and justified by the State Government/UT Administration and concurred with by the RGI and NCST.
* Action on proposals follows these approved modalities.
* **Interim ST Status:**
* There is no constitutional provision for granting interim ST status.
* **Process for Inclusion:**
* The inclusion process involves examination by the RGI and the NCST.
* If the RGI does not recommend a proposal, the State Government is informed and can provide additional information.
* The process is continuous, and proposals may remain under examination at different levels.
* **Committee of Group of Ministers:**
* A Committee of Group of Ministers was constituted to determine the quantum of reservation for the six communities, suggest revised reservation for OBCs, and safeguard the interests of existing STs.
* The Committee held discussions with representatives and leaders of various communities and tribal groups.
* The Committee was reconstituted on 04.07.2024 and 01.03.2025.
Impact Analysis:
* **State Government of Assam:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for providing justified proposals for inclusion of the six communities in the ST list and furnishing additional information if required by the RGI.
* *Action Required:* Respond to queries from RGI and continue to engage with the Committee of Group of Ministers.
* **Chutiya, KochRajbongshi, Matak, Moran, TaiAhom, and Tea Tribe Communities:**
* *Impact:* Their potential inclusion in the ST list is under consideration, which could affect their access to certain benefits and protections.
* *Action Required:* Engage with the Committee of Group of Ministers and provide necessary information to support their claim for inclusion.
* **Registrar General of India (RGI):**
* *Impact:* Plays a crucial role in examining and recommending or rejecting proposals for inclusion in the ST list.
* *Action Required:* Evaluate proposals based on established modalities and communicate any concerns to the State Government.
* **National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST):**
* *Impact:* Plays a crucial role in examining and recommending or rejecting proposals for inclusion in the ST list.
* *Action Required:* Evaluate proposals based on established modalities.
Key Entities Referenced
Scheduled Tribes: A constitutionally recognized group of historically disadvantaged indigenous people in India.
Assam: A state in northeastern India, which has proposed the inclusion of several communities in the ST list.
Chutiya: One of the communities in Assam seeking inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list.
KochRajbongshi: One of the communities in Assam seeking inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list.
Matak: One of the communities in Assam seeking inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list.
Moran: One of the communities in Assam seeking inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list.
TaiAhom: One of the communities in Assam seeking inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list.
Tea Tribe: One of the communities in Assam seeking inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1848
TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025
INCLUSION OF ETHNIC COMMUNITIES IN THE ST LIST
1848. Md. Rakibul Hussain:
Shri Pradyut Bordoloi:
Will the Minister of Tribal Affairs be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has received proposals from the State Government of
Assam for the inclusion of the Chutiya, Koch-Rajbongshi, Matak, Moran, Tai-Ahom and
Tea Tribe communities in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the current status of these proposals including any recommendations received from
the Registrar General of India and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes in
this regard;
(c) whether the Government would consider granting an interim ST status to the said
communities pending formal inclusion into the ST list and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government intends to expedite the process of their inclusion in view
of the fact that a Bill for the same was introduced in 2019 but remains pending;
(e) the details of the newly reconstituted Committee of Group of Ministers in Assam
including its mandate and timeline for submission of recommendations regarding
inclusion of these six ethnic communities in the ST list;
(f) whether the earlier such Committee of Group of Ministers constituted in 2019 has
given its report and if so, the details thereof; and
(g) whether the Government would outline a clear and time-bound schedule for
completing the evaluation process and necessary Constitutional Amendment for their
inclusion and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a) & (b) 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, exclusionfrom 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.
(c) There is no constitutional provision for granting interim ST status
(d) to (g) 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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