New Delhi: In a significant move aimed at addressing the long-standing demands of tribal communities in Jammu & Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, the Indian Parliament has passed three crucial bills to amend the existing lists of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in these regions. The Union Minister for Tribal Affairs; Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Arjun Munda, emphasized the government’s commitment to the development of tribal communities while preserving their socio-cultural heritage.
1. Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024:
The Parliament passed this bill to include the ‘Pahari Ethnic Group, Paddari Tribe, Koli, and Gadda Brahmin’ communities in the list of STs of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Rajya Sabha approved the bill on 9th February 2024 after it had been previously passed by the Lok Sabha on 6th February 2024.
2. Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024:
For Andhra Pradesh, the Parliament passed this bill to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950. The inclusions in the list of Scheduled Tribes for Andhra Pradesh include ‘Bondo Porja,’ ‘Khond Porja,’ and ‘Konda Savaras,’ all Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
3. Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2024:
In relation to Odisha, this bill proposed amendments to the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950. The changes include the inclusion of four Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in their own names in the list of STs and the omission of two names from the list of Scheduled Castes.
Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs; Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, moved the Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha, emphasizing the government’s commitment to the welfare of tribal communities. The amendments aim to provide justice to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
Upon the enactment of these bills into law, members of the newly included communities will be eligible for various benefits under existing government schemes. These benefits include pre- and post-matric scholarships, national overseas scholarships, concessional loans, and reservation in services and educational institutions as per government policies.
The move signifies a step towards empowering and uplifting tribal communities while ensuring their cultural heritage is preserved and respected.