Baalu demands ST status for Kurumans of TN

New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu today called on Tribal Affairs Minister P R Kyndiah and demanded inclusion of the Kuruman, Kuruman Gounder, Kurumba, Kuruban and Kurumbar tribes in the list of Scheduled Tribes of Tamil Nadu.

Urging for their inclusion, Mr Baalu told Mr Kyndiah that they should be included under the ST category or the synonymous name of 'Kuruman' in the districts of Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Vellore and Salem in the state in serial no 18 in the Scheduled Tribes list.

The Tribal Affairs Minister informed Mr Baalu that he would seek the views of the Registrar General of India and the Commission for Scheduled Tribes so as to take a decision at the earliest, a report here said.

Earlier, the Tamil Nadu government had on February 12 recommended the inclusion of Kurumans in the list of Scheduled Tribes and requested the Centre to take appropriate steps.

State Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has also taken up the matter with the Centre.

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