Assam GoM Report Recommends Scheduled Tribe Status for Six Communities in Historic Assembly Presentation

The winter session of the Assam assembly concluded on Saturday with a pivotal development regarding tribal status considerations.

Guwahati:

A significant milestone was reached on Saturday as the Group of Ministers (GoM) of the Assam government presented their interim report in the state assembly concerning the proposal to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six major communities. This presentation occurred during the final day of the winter session.

The report addresses the potential inclusion of these six communities in the ST list, primarily based on their socio-economic disadvantages and historical marginalization.

The communities in question - Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Matak, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes (adivasis) - have been advocating for ST recognition for approximately ten years, making this issue a contentious political matter in Assam.

Resolving this complex issue has remained a consistent pledge from the BJP throughout their political campaigns in the state.

The three-member GoM was led by Tribal Affairs (Plains) Minister Ranoj Pegu, with significant contributions from Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Pijush Hazarika and Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta.

In its recommendations, the GoM highlighted that the inclusion of these communities has already received endorsement from both the Registrar General of India and the National Commission for ST, and has subsequently been approved by the Union Cabinet.

The GoM expressed confidence that once the Government of India accepts the committee's recommendation, the matter will be resolved to the mutual satisfaction of both the six petitioning communities and the existing tribal populations of Assam. However, they clarified that final inclusion requires statutory approval through parliamentary procedures.

Various measures have been proposed by the GoM to address the socio-economic challenges faced by these six communities seeking ST classification.

Additionally, the GoM has recommended that the current OBC reservation structure should be reorganized into seven distinct categories.

Regarding land settlement matters in Assam, the GoM has suggested that all six communities should receive the same privileges currently extended to other ST communities, with specific recommendations for protecting their land rights.

The GoM further advised that these six communities should be incorporated under the Department of Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture's jurisdiction.

A comprehensive enumeration and socio-economic survey has been proposed by the GoM to facilitate sub-categorization within the 27 percent OBC quota, with particular emphasis on benefiting tea garden and adivasi communities.