Union Ministry Refers Sikkim's Scheduled Tribe Status Proposal Back to State Government

KalimNews, 13 September 2024, Kalimpong: The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has referred the issue of granting Scheduled Tribe status to 12 additional communities in Sikkim back to the State Government for further justification. In a letter to Dorjee Tshering Lepcha, the Rajya Sabha MP of Sikkim sent on Tuesday, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram clarified that the proposal for the recognition of 11 communities as Scheduled Tribes had been referred to the Registrar General of India (RGI) for consideration. However, the RGI had not recommended the inclusion.

Oram assured that all actions are being taken in accordance with the established modalities for granting Scheduled Tribe status under Article 342 of the Constitution. The Ministry clarified that the process for granting Scheduled Tribe status follows the established modalities, as outlined by the Centre in 1999 and amended in 2002 and 2022. According to these guidelines, any such proposal must be recommended by the concerned State Government and approved by the RGI and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) before a legislative amendment can be made.

The communities in question include Kirat Khambu Rai, Gurung, Mangan, Thami, Sanyasi (Jogi), Bahun, Chhetri, Bhujel, Kirat Dewan, Sunuwar, Newar, and Majhi. However, the Ministry has confirmed that no proposal regarding the Majhi community has been received.

The note from the Tribal Affairs Ministry also mentioned the demand raised by Sikkim Rajya Sabha MP D.T. Lepcha in the Rajya Sabha on July 29 regarding this issue, the Union Ministry sent back the proposal to the state government for further review

In a significant development concerning the recognition of more communities as Scheduled Tribes in Sikkim, the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has referred the proposal back to the State Government for further justification. The proposal, which seeks Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for 12 additional communities in Sikkim, requires a more detailed explanation and validation from the state authorities.

The Union Tribal Affairs Minister, Jual Oram, conveyed this decision that this proposal had been referred to the Registrar General of India (RGI) for consideration. However, after reviewing the proposal, the RGI did not recommend their inclusion under the Scheduled Tribe category.

Minister Jual Oram assured that all actions related to the proposal are being taken in strict accordance with the established modalities for granting Scheduled Tribe status under Article 342 of the Constitution of India. He emphasized that the process is transparent and follows a systematic approach. "The Ministry is committed to upholding the integrity of the process for granting Scheduled Tribe status," he stated.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs further clarified that the procedures for recognizing a community as a Scheduled Tribe are well-defined, following the guidelines laid down by the Centre in 1999, which were subsequently amended in 2002 and 2022. These guidelines require that any proposal for such recognition must first be recommended by the concerned state governments. Following this, it must receive approval from both the Registrar General of India (RGI) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) before it can be forwarded for a legislative amendment in Parliament.

The 11 communities proposed for inclusion as Scheduled Tribes are Kirat Khambu Rai, Gurung, Mangan, Thami, Sanyasi (Jogi), Bahun, Chhetri, Bhujel, Kirat Dewan, Sunuwar, and Newar. The inclusion of these communities would have significant implications for their social, economic, and political standing, granting them access to various affirmative action benefits such as reservations in education and employment, among others. However, the Ministry confirmed that no formal proposal has been received for the inclusion of the Majhi community, which was initially thought to be part of the list.

The issue of granting Scheduled Tribe status to more communities in Sikkim has been a contentious topic in the region, with political leaders and community groups advocating for the recognition of their communities. The note from the Tribal Affairs Ministry also highlighted the demand raised by Sikkim's Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, D.T. Lepcha, during a session in the Rajya Sabha on July 29. MP Lepcha emphasized the need for swift action on this issue, citing the socio-economic challenges faced by these communities.

Following the Ministry's decision to return the proposal to the State Government, it is now up to the Sikkim administration to provide additional data and justification for the inclusion of these communities as Scheduled Tribes. This could involve conducting new surveys, gathering historical and anthropological evidence, and engaging with various stakeholders, including community leaders and experts, to bolster their case.

The State Government's response will be crucial in determining the future status of these communities. If the proposal is strengthened with robust evidence and resubmitted, it could pave the way for its acceptance by the Registrar General of India (RGI) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST). Until then, the matter remains in a state of flux, with all parties eagerly awaiting the outcome. This issue is also relevant to West Bengal, where a similar demand has been forwarded by the state government to the Union Government.

The recognition of more communities as Scheduled Tribes in Sikkim, as well as in West Bengal, has far-reaching implications. Beyond access to various welfare schemes, it also impacts political representation and social dynamics within these states. Many believe that the inclusion of these communities under the Scheduled Tribe category is essential for ensuring equitable development and addressing historical injustices. As such, the forthcoming actions of the State Governments will be closely watched by all stakeholders involved.