Interim Report Recommends ST Status Classification for Six Communities in Assam Assembly

An interim report presented in the Assam Assembly recommends a three-tier classification of Scheduled Tribes for six communities. It emphasises ongoing dialogue to reach a conclusive solution while ensuring existing tribal reservations remain intact.

An interim report by the Group of Ministers (GoM) on granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six major communities in Assam was presented in the assembly. The report suggests a three-tier classification for STs, aiming to address demands from the Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Matak, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes adivasis. It emphasises that ongoing dialogue with stakeholders is crucial for a final resolution.

The GoM's proposal includes creating a new 'ST Valley' category, incorporating Ahom, Chutia, Tea Tribes, and Koch-Rajbongshi communities, excluding undivided Goalpara district. Currently, Assam has ST Hills and ST Plains categories alongside Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Classes (OBC). The report highlights the need for special legislation by Parliament to endorse this three-tier reservation system.

Three-Tier Classification Proposal

The report suggests including Moran, Matak, and Koch-Rajbongshi from Goalpara in the 'ST Plains' category. It notes minimal opposition from existing communities within this category. The GoM aims to protect the political rights and socio-economic interests of current ST communities through this classification.

According to the report, the proposed structure will allow reorganisation of reservations in Parliament, legislative assembly, and local bodies without reducing current entitlements for ST Plains and ST Hills. The new ST Valley category will have separate quotas for state government recruitment and educational institutions while safeguarding existing ST quotas.

Statutory Recognition and Legislative Changes

The Assam government plans to urge the Centre for statutory recognition of this classification. This aligns with the Assam assembly's resolution to recognise these six communities as STs without affecting existing tribal rights. The report states that ST Valley will be treated as Scheduled Tribes for all purposes except impacting current tribal privileges.

The GoM believes that recognising these communities as STs will benefit the state by allowing them to compete in the national ST pool at central institutions. Additionally, it recommends reserving two Lok Sabha constituencies covering Sixth Schedule areas for existing STs through a constitutional amendment.

Additional Recommendations

For the proposed ST Valley category, additional seats will be reserved in Parliament due to an increase in recognised ST individuals. The GoM also recommends including 35 tea garden communities not currently on the state OBC list into it immediately. This inclusion would facilitate future consideration for their ST or SC status.

Until Parliament approves these six communities' inclusion in the ST list, targeted measures should address their socio-economic disadvantages. The report advocates a comprehensive survey to enable sub-categorisation within the 27% OBC quota, particularly benefiting tea garden and adivasi groups.

This approach aims to ensure equitable distribution of reservation benefits and reduce internal disparities until a unified stance on their ST demand emerges. Limited copies of the report were distributed in sealed envelopes to legislative party leaders and GoM members.

Opposition parties requested a discussion on the report; however, the Speaker indicated it could be addressed later. The GoM maintains that recognising these communities as STs will enhance opportunities while preserving existing tribal rights.

With inputs from PTI