Guwahati

An interim report prepared by the Group of Ministers (GoM) on the proposal to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six major communities of Assam was tabled in the state assembly on the last day of the winter session on Saturday.

The report recommended a three-tier classification of Scheduled Tribes in Assam to address long-pending demands for ST status from the Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Matak, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes (Adivasis).

The document was presented by Tribal Affairs (Plains) Minister Ranoj Pegu, who also heads the three-member GoM. The report noted that the committee’s primary objective was to explore a mechanism through which ST status can be extended to the six communities without disturbing the reservation rights of the state’s existing tribal groups.

A key recommendation of the GoM is the introduction of a new category—ST (Valley)—which would include the Ahom, Chutia, Tea Tribes and Koch-Rajbongshi (excluding those from the undivided Goalpara district).

For the Moran, Matak and the Koch-Rajbongshi population of Goalpara district, the GoM proposed their inclusion in the existing ST (Plains) category, noting that this should not adversely affect the communities already listed under ST (Plains).

Only limited copies of the report were circulated in the House. These were given in sealed envelopes to legislative party leaders, members of the GoM and a few other officials.

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Opposition parties demanded an immediate discussion on the report, but Speaker Biswajit Daimary said that it could be taken up at a later date.