Lok Sabha Question No. 627 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-06
Subject: ST Status to the Tribes in Assam
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Md. Rakibul Hussain

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 627

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 06/02/2025

## ST STATUS TO THE TRIBES IN ASSAM

627. MD. RAKIBUL HUSSAIN:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to grant the Scheduled Tribes (STs) status to the tribes in Assam, including Adivasi or 'tea tribes', Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi, Matak, Moran and TaiAhom communities which is a long-standing demand;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has taken any measures towards examining the socio-economic conditions of the said tribes in Assam; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

(a)  to  (b): The  recommendation  for  inclusion  of  Tai  Ahom,  Chutia,  Matak,  Moran,  KochRajbongshi and Tea Tribes 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,  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. All action on the proposals are taken as per these approved modalities.

(c) to (d): 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 development of these communities. Sufficient fund has 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

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