In a significant move towards the empowerment of tribal communities, the Lok Sabha introduced the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023, aiming to bring about changes to the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950. The bill aims to make important amendments to the list of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Chhattisgarh, thereby benefiting the tribal population in the state.
The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022
One of the key aspects in the news is the upcoming amendment to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, through the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022. The amendment seeks to include several tribal communities from Chhattisgarh into the Scheduled Tribes list, providing them with the associated rights, benefits, and protections.
Expansion of the Scheduled Tribes List
The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022, will extend the Scheduled Tribes list in Chhattisgarh by adding the Dhanuhar, Dhanuwar, Kisan, Saunra, Saonra, and Binjhia communities. Additionally, it includes the Bhuinya, Bhuiyan, and Bhuyan communities as synonyms of the Bharia Bhumia community. Furthermore, the bill aims to incorporate three Devanagari versions of the Pando community’s name, expanding the recognition and representation of these tribal communities in official documents.
Impact on Chhattisgarh’s Tribal Communities
The amendment to the Scheduled Tribes list will have a positive impact on Chhattisgarh’s tribal communities, providing them with improved access to opportunities, welfare schemes, and affirmative action programs. It is estimated that approximately 72,000 tribal individuals in the state will benefit from this inclusion, fostering their socio-economic development and contributing to the overall progress of the nation.
The Process of Adding or Removing Communities from the Lists
The process of adding or removing communities from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes lists involves several steps and is overseen by both the State or Union Territory government and the President’s office.
- State government recommendation: The process commences at the State or Union Territory level, where the government proposes to add or remove a community from the SCs or STs List based on socio-economic and cultural criteria.
- Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The recommendation from the State government is forwarded to the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs for review and examination.
- Examination by the Registrar General of India (RGI): The RGI utilizes criteria from the Lokur Committee to determine whether a community qualifies to be designated as a Scheduled Tribe.
- National Commission for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes: Once approved by the RGI, the proposal is referred to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes for further scrutiny and evaluation.
- Inter-ministerial deliberations and Cabinet approval: The proposal then returns to the Union government for inter-ministerial deliberations and final approval in the Cabinet.