Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2019

Syllabus subtopic: Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.

Prelims and Mains focus: about the key features of the bill and its significance

News: The Lok Sabha passed The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2019 by voice vote.

Background

The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced in Rajya Sabha on February 11, 2019 by the Minister of Tribal Affairs. It was passed by Rajya Sabha on February 13, 2019.

Key highlights of the Bill

The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 specifies the tribal communities which are deemed to be Scheduled Tribes. The Bill amends Part 18 of the Order which specifies the Scheduled Tribes in Arunachal Pradesh.

The Bill inserts 5 entries for granting Scheduled Tribe status to these communities. These are:

Galo
Mishmi-Kaman (Miju Mishmi), Idu (Mishmi), Taraon (Digaru, Mishmi)
Monpa, Memba, Sartang, Sajolang (Miji)
Nocte, Tangsa, Tutsa, Wancho, and
Tai Khamti.

The Bill removes reference to six tribes. These are: (i) Abor, (ii) Galong, (iii) Khampti, (iv) Mishmi (Idu, Taroon), (v) any Naga tribes, and and (vi) Momba.

The Bill seeks to include the Parivara and the Talawara communities in the ST category to ensure they get reservation and other benefits provided by the government.

The Siddi tribes of Belagavi and Dharwad (Karnataka) would also be included in the category apart from those living in the Uttar Kannada districts. The amendments had been made in the list of the STs in Karnataka.

Demands raised by other parties

The Nationalist Congress Party demanded that the Dhangar community from Maharashtra be included in the ST.

The Congress (INC) said a comprehensive bill is required.

All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) said the government should take steps to make the process of inclusion easier.

Source: The Hindu

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