Centre’s Green Signal To ST Bill For Six Communities in Assam

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday informed Parliament that the Union government had given the approval to move the Bill in the House for granting ST status to six communities in Assam – Tai Ahoms, Koch Rajbongshis, Chutias, tea tribes, Morans and Motoks.

“The government has waived the requirement of cabinet approval. A Bill is being introduced in the current session of Parliament,” said Singh. At the same time, Singh said full safeguards will be provided to protect the interests, rights and privileges of the existing STs of the State.

A separate Bill will be brought to grant ST status to Bodo Kacharis in the hills districts of the State and also to the Karbis in the rest of the State, he informed the House, adding, “The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution is also proposed to be amended to strengthen the autonomous district councils.”

The Congress, however, has termed the decision of the central government on the ST issue as “a poll gimmick.”

“It’s really strange that the current government is in a hurry to give ST status to six communities in Assam. They are neither taking any legal opinion nor consulting any expert. This is just because of the elections ahead. They just want to show something,” said Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi.

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