STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The State Government informed the State Assembly that the demand for ST status to the six ethnic groups of the state is under the consideration of the Central Government.
WPT & BC (Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes) Minister Ranoj Pegu said, "From time to time, the Government of Assam sends proposals to the Centre regarding the ST status to the six ethnic groups. The demand is still under the consideration of the Centre.
"The last government in the state formed a Group of Ministers (GoM) with the then Finance Minister (now chief minister) Himanta Biswa Sarma as chairman to look into the issue. The GoM had talks with the six ethnic groups. It, however, has not yet finalized its recommendations on the issue."
Pegu said this while replying to a question from AGP MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita in the House today.
The demand for ST status of the six ethnic groups of the state – Tai Ahoms, Morans, Mottocks, Chutias, Koch-Rajbongshis and Tea Tribes – is a long-standing one. For the past few decades, every political party in the state has been committing to the six groups to provide them ST status if voted to power. However, the demand is far from becoming a reality.
On the Kalitas' demand for ST status, Pegu said, "For according ST status, the Centre has some criteria. We requested the state ST and SC Research Institute to ascertain if the Kalita community meets the ST criteria set by the Centre. The institute informed the government that it can prepare a report on ST status for the Kalita community if the Centre relaxes its criteria."
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