Lok Sabha Question No. 1848 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Inclusion of Ethnic Communities in the ST List
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi, Md. Rakibul Hussain

## 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, 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 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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