Khandu, Rijiju elated over initiative to change nomenclature

Itanagar, Jan 19 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu has appreciated the Union Cabinet for approving the introduction of the Bill in Parliament, seeking amendment to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, for change of nomenclature.

Official sources said here today that the Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Cabinet colleagues for fulfilling the long pending demand of the Nyishi community in the state of substituting ''Dafla'' by ''Nyishi''.

''It has come as a surprise package from the Prime Minister and a curtain raiser to his proposed visit to the state on January 31,'' Mr Khandu said.

The Union Cabinet, on January 17, had cleared the state government's proposal for change of nomenclature from Dafla to Nyishi, ending a long-drawn issue, which rocked the state recently.

Lok Sabha MP from Arunachal Kiren Rijiju informed yesterday that the Bill would be introduced in Parliament in the form of an Amendment to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, during the coming Budget Session.

Congratulating the Nyishi Elite Society, All Nyishi Students' Union and all elected representatives of the community, Mr Rijiju said the constant pursuance by the Nyishis and like-minded people of the state, with continuous support from the state government, had finally paid the dividend, which was an emotional issue for the community as it was a matter of their identity.

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