The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order amendment bill of 2021 has recently gained approval in the Rajya Sabha. The main objective behind this amendment is a modification to Part-XVIII of the Schedule to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, specifically concerning the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Details of the Amendment Bill
The bill aims to revise the constitutional list of Scheduled Tribes as suggested by Arunachal Pradesh. Currently, there are 18 communities including their synonyms present on the illustrative list of Scheduled Tribes for this state. This particular amendment won’t induce additional recurring costs from the Consolidated Fund of India as it pertains to benefits anticipated for the communities proposed in the Bill.
The Role of Ministry Of Tribal Affairs
Responsible for the welfare of approximately 10.45 crores of the Scheduled Tribes population, according to the 2011 census, is the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Additionally, Scheduled Tribes are eligible for benefits under the Scheduled Tribes Component (STC) included in various schemes under both the central and state governments. The STC’s primary aim is to oversee the flow of resources and benefits from general sectors in Central Ministries or Departments for the development of Scheduled Tribes, ensuring it is at least proportionate to their population.
Major Changes Proposed within the Bill
The Abor tribe is slated for removal from the list of identified STs in Arunachal Pradesh as per this bill. It also suggests replacing certain STs with other tribes. For instance, the Khampti tribe is set to replace Tai Khamti, while the Mishmi-Kaman will substitute Mishmi, Idu, and Taroan tribes. The bill presents several such modifications in the list of Scheduled Tribes.
Demographics of Scheduled Tribes in Arunachal Pradesh
Based on the 2001 Census, approximately 64.2% of Arunachal Pradesh’s total population are Scheduled Tribes (STs). A decadal growth of 28.1% in the ST population was recorded during the 1991-2001 Census in the state.
Designation of Scheduled Tribes as per the Constitution
Article 366 (25) defines Scheduled Tribes as those communities that have been scheduled following Article 342. As per the constitution, only communities declared by the President through public notification or subsequent amending Act of Parliament are considered as Scheduled Tribes. However, the listing is specific to each State/UT, meaning a community recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in one State may not have the same status in another.
Characteristics of Scheduled Tribes
Scheduled Tribe communities are distinguished by their primitiveness, geographical isolation, shyness, and social, educational, and economic backwardness. There are 75 tribes classified as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), characterized by pre-agriculture level of technology, stagnant or declining population, extremely low literacy, and subsistence level of economy.
Government Initiatives for the Empowerment of Scheduled Tribes
Several initiatives have been launched by the government focusing on the socio-economic empowerment of STs. These include The Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA); The Provision of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996; Minor Forest Produce Act 2005; SC And ST (Prevention Of Atrocities) Act; and the Tribal Sub-Plan Strategy.
