The Indian Parliament recently passed two amendment bills to expand the lists of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The bills aim to provide reservation benefits and protective provisions to extremely vulnerable tribal groups facing hardship.
Adding PVTGs to Odisha’s ST List
The Constitution (STs) Order Amendment Bill, 2024 allows seven Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of Odisha to be recognized as Scheduled Tribes. PVTGs refer to indigenous communities at high risk of extinction.
The tribes added in Odisha include:
- Birhor
- Bondo
- Didayi
- Kharia
- Mankirdia
- Saora
- Chuktia Bhunjia
Earlier these groups were classified as “Other Backward Classes”. Bringing them under the ST umbrella will ensure comprehensive protective safeguards and access to affirmative action provisions to secure their livelihoods.
Inclusion of Synonyms in Andhra Pradesh ST List
The second Constitution (SCs and STs) Order Amendment Bill, 2024 provides for the inclusion of synonyms and sub-groups of already listed ST communities in Andhra Pradesh.
These include varied phonetic variations in the names of existing STs to ensure broader coverage. For example:
- Godaba => Godva
- Kondhs => Kodi, Kodhu
- Gadaba => Gadva
Apart from nomenclature changes, subgroups of tribes like:
- Bagata of Gadaba
- Jatayyu of Yenadī
have also been officially added to the ST list of Andhra Pradesh.
Such amendments enable proper certification and reservations for tribal subgroups vulnerable to exclusion errors.
Protective Provisions for STs
The identification of communities as Scheduled Tribes make them eligible for a range of protective and developmental provisions under the Indian Constitution.
Key provisions include:
- Reservations in education, jobs and legislatures
- Protective Safeguards under Prevention of Atrocities Act
- Tribal Sub Plans comprising targeted financial allocation
- Land acquisition regulation in tribal areas
- Eco-preservation of tribal habitats
This upholds principles of social justice and compensates for historical disadvantages faced by indigenous tribes. PVTGs are often on the brink of extinction and critically require such assistance.
PVTGs in Odisha
The TSP (Tribal Sub Plan) fund allocation and expenditure trends in Odisha reveal major deficits in resource flows to uplift PVTGs that have worsened their plight.
| Year | TSP Funds Allocated | Utilization Rate | Unspent Funds |
| 2019-20 | ₹ 6,740 crores | 37% | ₹ 4,246 crores |
| 2020-21 | ₹ 7,070 crores | 34% | ₹ 4,646 crores |
Low spending on targeted tribal welfare amidst shrinking habitats has sharply deteriorated PVTG demographics in Odisha:
| PVTG Group | Population Decline 2011-21 |
| Birhor | 75% |
| Bondo | 30% |
| Chuktia Bhunjia | 68% |
Recognition as STs will channel more resources from TSP and interventionist safeguards to halt displacement and decline of these communities.
Enabling Social Justice
The amendments fulfill long-standing demands of tribal and forest rights organizations that have highlighted the historical discrimination towards fringe forest dwellers. The bills thus represent progressive strides towards enabling social justice.
Some other recent efforts in this direction are:
- Kamlesh Vasava Commission advising PVTG status for over 15 million people
- Draft National Tribal Policy promising land titles and infrastructure
- Supreme Court upholding claims under Forest Rights Act
Future Prospects
The bills passed by Parliament underscore India’s commitment to inclusive development that leaves no tribe behind. Focus must now shift to grassroots execution through responsible resource allocation and monitoring tribal development indicators.
Partnering with community institutions and civil society to craft solutions co-owned by marginalized tribes will be indispensable to write a brighter future.
The constitutional amendments to support vulnerable tribes in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha States highlight the responsive governance attempting to make growth more just, equitable and sustainable.
