STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The CCTOA (Coordination Committee of the Tribal Organizations of Assam) has let the GoM (Group of Ministers) know its opposition to the Bill for according ST status to the six ethnic groups of Assam.
The GoM and the CCTOA sat across the table here for the first time on according ST status to the Morans, Mottocks, Chutias, Koch Rajbongshis, Tai Ahoms and Tea Tribes on Monday.
Talking to The Sentinel after the meeting, CCTOA chief coordinator Aditya Khakhlari said: “We’ve opposed the ST Bill. There’s no clause barring the six groups seeking ST status from fielding candidates for Legislative Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies which are reserved for the existing STs. This is going to affect the political future of the existing STs of the State. Moreover, granting ST status to the six communities is also going to affect the existing STs of the State in jobs at the national level.”
Khakhlari said: “We’ve raised the demand for a tripartite talk involving representatives of the CCTOA, Dispur and the Centre in the presence of the Union Home Minister and the State Chief Minister on the issue.”
However, sources at Dispur claimed that the GoM assured the CCTOA of safeguarding and protecting the interests, rights and privileges of the existing STs in the State.
The Group of Ministers comprises ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chandan Brahma, Naba Kumar Doley, Pallab Lochan Das and Topon Kumar Gogoi.
The Bill for granting ST status to the six communities of Assam has already been introduced in the Rajya Sabha.