Shillong: Meghalaya government awaits findings of a special committee reviewing updates to the state’s Scheduled Tribes (ST) list under the 1950 Constitution Order.
During the ongoing Meghalaya Legislative Assembly session, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma informed legislators that the government set up this committee through a notification issued on December 13, 2024.
The panel’s task is to carefully assess the current ST list and suggest any updates, such as adding or removing communities or other necessary changes. The committee is led by a designated chairperson, assisted by a member secretary, and supported by eight other members.
Its work involves examining historical documents, legal provisions, population data, and socio-cultural factors relevant to tribal recognition in Meghalaya.
Sangma stated that the committee is currently reviewing all relevant information before preparing its report. Once completed, the recommendations will be forwarded to the state government and may require approval at the national level, as any modification to the Presidential Order must pass through Parliament.
Efforts to update Meghalaya’s ST list have been ongoing for several years. The current schedule, largely inherited from Assam at the time Meghalaya became a separate state in 1972, has not undergone a comprehensive review in decades.
Concerns have been raised that some communities on the list may not meet the criteria for indigenous status, while others that qualify might be excluded.
The matter gained attention in 2019 when the Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Nongthymmai Pyllun (SNSNP), along with village councils and traditional bodies, formally requested the government to coordinate with the Centre to revise the list.
They sought to remove ineligible entries and ensure that the ST schedule reflects the state’s original tribal population accurately.
Responding to continued appeals from traditional leaders, civil society groups, and political stakeholders, the government established the committee in December 2024. Since then, the panel has held multiple meetings, examining demographic trends, historical records, and relevant legal guidelines.
The committee’s final report is expected to have a significant impact on tribal identity, resource distribution, affirmative action, and the protection of indigenous rights in Meghalaya.