Govt rules out according uniform facilities to SC/ST

New Delhi, Nov 24 (UNI) The Government today ruled out according uniform standards for facilities to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes across the country in view of the variance of their living conditions in different states.

Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Meera Kumar today told the Rajya Sabha that uniform standards for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes would not be possible across the country.

In her resumed reply to the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2004 for amending the Articles 341 and 342, she said some people from these categories are living in advanced States and some in backward areas and are given benefits according to the position of the States.

The Bill was moved by Mr Silvius Condpan(Cong) in the last session, she said the tree planters of Kerala from SC and ST were not getting the same facilities in Asom as they were given in their own State and demanded that the same facilities be extended to them wherever they work in the country.

Regarding the tribal people, the Minister said she would speak to the Tribal Affairs Minister P R Kyndiah.

Ms Kumar urged Mr Condpan to withdraw the Bill.

On this, Mr Condpan said the Minister assured him that the matter would be taken up with the appropriate authorities and the Minister and he agreed to withdraw the Bill.

Ms Kumar assured him all help in this regard and forwarded the matter to the ministry and departments concerned.

Later, Mr Condpan withdrew the Bill.

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