Procedure for Inclusion of Communities in Scheduled Tribes List

Why in news? Recently, the Tribal Affairs Ministry insisted once again that the current procedure for inclusion of communities in the Scheduled Tribes list was “adequate”.

About:

The process to include tribes in the ST list begins with the recommendation from the respective State governments, which are then sent to the Tribal Affairs Ministry, which reviews and sends them to the Registrar General of India for approval.

This is followed by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes’ approval before the list is sent to the Cabinet to bring in the appropriate amendment to Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.

The criteria given by Lokur Committee include:

• Primitive traits
• Distinct culture
• Geographical isolation
• Shyness of contact with the community at large
•  

In 2014 a government task force formed which criticized the inclusion criteria and procedure for being outdated and contradictory to affirmative action stating that it leads to exclusion and delays in inclusion of communities. The proposal to amend it, after being in the pipeline for nearly eight years, was put on hold.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/current-procedure-for-inclusion-of-communities-in-scheduled-tribes-list-adequate-centre-tells-rajya-sabha/article66622939.ece#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20modalities%20for,General%20of%20India%20(ORGI