DW BUREAU / New Delhi / Chandigarh

Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Satnam Singh Sandhu raised the issue of inclusion of denotified, nomadic, and semi-nomadic tribal communities of Punjab in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) List during the on-going Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Raising the matter in Rajya Sabha, MP Satnam Singh Sandhu further inquired about thecriterion, process and study conducted by Union government to reclassify certain denotified, nomadic, and semi-nomadic communities from Scheduled Castes to Scheduled Tribes. He also inquired about the status of inclusion of Bazigar, Baoria, Gadila, Nat, Sansi, Barad and Bengali communities of Punjab in the ST list.

While replying to the question raised by MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Durga Das Uikey said, "The Union government acts on the recommendations and proposals sent by the state government/UT administration which are then concurred by Registrar General of India (RGI) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST). The Union government after receiving the final proposals from RGI and NCST enacts or amends the law which is the final step for the reclassification of the denotified, nomadic, and semi-nomadic communities from Scheduled Castes to Scheduled Tribes,". He said sometimes additional information is sought by RGI and NCST which is immediately communicated to the respective state governments for further required action.

The Union Minister further added that the process of reclassification of marginalised and tribal communities is a continuous process and hence various proposals are under consideration at different levels.

MP Satnam Singh Sandhu said, "Although there is considerable population of people belonging to communities such as Bazigar, Baoria, Gadila, Nat, Sansi, Barad and Bengali which are living in Punjab but have not been included in the ST communities list till date. I request the government of Punjab to expedite the necessary process to send the complete proposal for the inclusion of tribal communities of Punjab in the ST list,". Sandhu assured the people of Punjab that he will continue pursuing this issue with the government until the demand is met.

MP Satnam Singh Sandhu further added that the Union government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken many steps for the incusve development of backward communities' including people belonging to STs. The Union government has established tribal multipurpose marketing centers in various states which act as center for creating livelihood to the people of tribal communities.

(editor@dailyworld.in)