NEW DELHI, Feb 7: The Centre has received the Assam government’s proposal to include six communities – Tai Ahom, Chutia, Matak, Moran, Koch Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes, under the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category. Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Durgadas Uikey, confirmed the development in response to a query from Congress MP Rakibul Hussain in the Lok Sabha.
Uikey explained that the Government of India had established specific modalities on June 15, 1999, which were amended in 2002 and 2022, for deciding the claims related to the inclusion, exclusion, and modification of the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) lists. According to these protocols, only those proposals recommended by the concerned State Government and approved by the Registrar General of India and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) would be considered for modification.
However, Uikey did not provide any details regarding the status of the proposal for granting ST status to these six communities. He mentioned that the Assam government had been proactive in the development of these groups. Specific steps taken include the creation of the Matak Autonomous Council, Moran Autonomous Council, Kamatapur Autonomous Council, and other welfare councils for Ahom and Chutia communities. These councils have been allocated sufficient funds in the state’s annual budget for development schemes targeting socioeconomic improvements.
Furthermore, Uikey highlighted that the Assam government has implemented special reservations for these communities in educational institutions, including medical colleges, engineering colleges, and ITIs. Additionally, the state has sanctioned 200 Model Tea Estate High Schools across tea garden areas, which are expected to bring significant improvements in education for tea garden workers children. Of these, 116 schools have been made fully operational since 2023. In the coming years, these schools will be upgraded to higher secondary institutions to further meet the educational needs of the communities.
Uikey also noted that these efforts are a part of Assam’s comprehensive strategy to address the disparities faced by the six communities and improve their overall living conditions.
